Viral TikTok Star Surprises Pontiac Daycare Workers with a Car, a Year’s Rent and Life-Changing Gifts

PONTIAC, Mich. — Three daycare workers at Pontiac nonprofit Grace Centers of Hope received some unexpected blessings — including a year's rent for two of them, and a brand-new car for the other — during a surprise visit from viral social media creator Zachery Dereniowski.

Known online as MDMotivator, Dereniowski has built a following of of more than 50 million across social media platforms (Tik Tok, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube) by surprising strangers throughout the country with life-changing financial gifts.

The video showcasing his visit to Grace Centers of Hope has already drawn millions of views across TikTok, Instagram, YouTube and Facebook.

The three daycare staffers — named Mari, Alex and Amanda — work together at Hands of Hope daycare center at Grace Centers of Hope, a leading nonprofit that provides comprehensive life skills programs to men, women and children whose lives have been impacted by homelessness, addiction and abuse. Its Children's Program offers a safe, nurturing environment for children while their parents work toward recovery. The program's on-site childcare center is where Mari, Alex and Amanda once brought their own children before returning as staff.

What each woman received:

● Mari, who is raising three children on her own, left a difficult home situation with just 30 days' notice to find a place to stay. Grace Centers of Hope called with room for her family on day 28. She was surprised with a brand-new car.

● Alex, who came to Grace while struggling to make ends meet and caring for a daughter with autism, received a full year of rent paid from the influencer.

● Amanda, who arrived at GCH with her daughter “completely broken and alone,” also received a full year of rent paid.

“I was scared. I worried about what would happen next and how everything would work out,” Mari said. “But I chose to trust that the Lord would provide for us. And He did. Grace gave my children and me a safe place to stay and provided for our basic needs, but what I needed went so much deeper than shelter or food.”

Darin Weiss, CEO of Grace Centers of Hope, was appreciative of the surprise donations and their impact on the three women.

“This is exactly what we hope for the women in our program — a community stepping in and reminding them they're not alone in rebuilding their lives,” said Weiss. “We're grateful for this generosity and for the spotlight it puts on the courage it takes for these women to start over.”

The gifts were sponsored by One Source Provider through its OSP Cares giving program.

Giving hope to the helpless since 1942, Grace Centers of Hope is considered one of the leading faith-based organizations in Southeastern Michigan, confronting daily the issues of homelessness, addiction, education, parenting, poverty, abuse and spiritual emptiness. On any given night, Grace Centers of Hope provides transitional shelter to 375 men, women and children, in addition to serving more than 238,000 meals each year. Grace's $8 million yearly budget is maintained solely through corporate and private donors, exclusive of any government assistance. To learn more about Grace Centers of Hope or to make a donation, please visit www.gracecentersofhope.org.