Regardless of the weather or the distance, Paul Wilson will make sure low-income students in his neighbourhood arrive at their college classes on time.
A retired enginner, 76-year-old Wilson has been _1_ free rides to college students for the past eight years. Since he first started _2_ his car to the young people, Wilson has _3_ an astonishing 64,000 miles, and has had countless pleasant and often humorous _4_ with the students he transports to and from school. The students who he's _5_ have gone on to become physicians, teachers and ngineers, but what they've also got out of their time in school is finding a role model and a friend in Wilson. Some students _6_ call him "Grandpa".
Tina Stern _7_ rides from Wilson for all her four years in college, and the trips meant much more to her than just free _8_ . "It's not just a ride; you're not just sitting there in _9_ silence or with your headphones on," Stern said. "He asks you questions and actually _10_ the answers, so the next time you ride with him, he'll _11_ those things."
Wilson first worked as a driver through a student-support programme of the non-profit organisation, On Point for College. Although the _12_ asks the members only to drive students to and from their classes, Wilson often goes _13_ to ensure the welfare and safety of the students. If they have problems with registration, Wilson is there to _14_ them. If they run out of certain daily necessities, Wilson will drive to the nearest store and purchase what's needed. If a student gets hungry on the long drives to and from school, Wilson never _15_ to buy them a meal.
For many students, Wilson's help is not only appreciated, it's also entirely _16_ for them to be able to complete their college education. Some students don't have a reliable car, while others have to _17_ vehicles with parents who work six days a week. For them, riding with Wilson has _18_ them to complete their education — but according to Wilson, he benefits just as much from the _19_ . "I just love driving, and I love these kids," Wilson said. "It's such a(n) _20_ to be a part of these kids' lives, even just for a few hours, geting to know them and hearing their stories."
