PHOENIX (3TV / CBS 5) – At the age of just 19, Luis Gastelum has tasks that not many teenagers can identify with. Two years ago the Mexican immigrant came to Arizona for a better life. When he’s not studying or playing soccer, he works to take care of his 14-year-old sister. “I came here for a reason. It was for my mother and family. I just wanted to give them the best,” said Gastelum. Now he is approaching a major milestone: high school graduation. But his job almost prevented him from attending the solemn moment. Luis works at the Marshalls Distribution Center in Phoenix. He said his boss wouldn’t give him a day off and threatened to fire him if he didn’t show up this weekend. “I was lost, to be honest. Lost because it’s not just myself. I have my sister and me. It’s just me and her. I’m like her father. So I’m more worried about her”, said Gastelum. When one of his teachers found out what was going on, he stepped in to help. On Thursday, Shayman Richardson launched a GoFundMe page to raise funds for Gastelum. It grew to more than $ 2,400 in less than 11 hours. Richardson said it was all for Gastelum to quit his job and graduate. “He’s brilliant. I’ve seen him endure so much adversity and he’s so humble. He keeps smiling, going on, and going and going,” said Richardson. On Thursday, the Arizona family reached out to TJX, the company that Marshalls owns. A spokesman said the company is now working with Luis to give him the day off. Copyright 2021 KPHO / KTVK (KPHO Rundfunkgesellschaft). All rights reserved.
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