Jimmy Bendickson, 18, a senior at Manson Northwest Webster High School, was surprised by more than 100 students, teachers, and parents during a study hall in the school’s library.

The idea to help Bendickson came from Kadin Birkey, 16, a junior.

Birkey learned that Bendickson had a sick father who lives away from the area and has a difficult home life.

Birkey messaged his mom, Erin Birkey, on Thursday asking what they could do for Bendickson.

-Submitted photo
Jimmy Bendickson was surprised with a graduation party put on by Manson Northwest Webster students.

Around the same time, Kadin Birkey and other students talked to Kim Keller, a speech teacher at the school.

Together they organized a graduation party for Bendickson.

Erin Birkey posted on social media seeing if anyone would be interested in helping.

“I never in a million years expected to have what happened, happen,” Erin Birkey said. “It was shared over 30 times. Between gifts, money, and the money that people donated and gift certificates was about $700, and that was just my part.”

MNW students raised more than $200, she said.

“They were able to get him a Chromebook, a winter coat,” Erin Birkey said. “They were able to get him everything he needs.”

An administrator from Iowa Central Community College brought over some clothes and said the college would be looking at financial aid for Bendickson to further his education.

“When I told Jim he could go to college, he started to get emotional,” Erin Birkey said. “He said it’s been his dream since he was 5 years old to go to school to be a mechanic.”

After the celebration Friday, Bendickson was involved in a car accident, but is OK, Erin Birkey said.

“It was the best day of his life,” Erin Birkey said. “He’s OK, but he doesn’t have a vehicle anymore now. It’s pretty heartbreaking.”

She is glad, however, that the community has come together to support Bendickson.

“It’s hard to put into words” she said. “I am just proud. I am proud of our students. I am proud of all the teachers who put the effort into it. It was such a selfless act. They didn’t think twice of doing everything and anything they could to help him. It brought as much joy to everyone helping as it did that boy.”