GRAND COTEAU, La. (KLFY)– Berchmans Academy’s school secretary is not on campus for the first time in nearly 20 years, and one mom pays it forward as a way to say “thank you” for all of her years of service to the all-boys school.

Each month, Bob Giles of Giles Automotive gifts a stranger $1,000 for them to pay it forward to someone they know.

Lauren Taliaferro was given the envelope of cash and the chance to give it to someone she thought deserved it.

“She’s salt of the earth. She’s amazing,” Taliaferro said. “She listens to the boys day in and day out. She’s just so kind, and I love her. And I’m going to miss her.”

Taliaferro chose to pay it forward to Kay West, who left her position at the all-boys school she worked at for 19 years.

We surprised West at her house and told her she was chosen to receive $1,000.

“Oh, my goodness,” West said.

“I heard that you weren’t going to be at Berchmans, and I was just thinking all week of how to thank you,” Taliaferro said. “And this just fell in our laps, and I was like you know what. When we can’t be at school for our boys, you’re there. I never have to worry because you’re always there to put a Band-Aid, to hug them. You emotionally supported them all through the day. You always had a smile on your face, and nothing was too big for you. And I’m so grateful to you.”

After West opened the envelope of cash, she asked Taliaferro to give it to the school in her name.

“See, she’s always taking care of them,” Taliaferro said. “Always.”

“I’m still there in spirit,” West said.

We gave the money to Berchmans Academy’s Dean of Students, Chris Garvey, and told him it was from West.

“Yeah, that’s Mrs. Kay for you,” Garvey said. “We appreciate that, thank you. Berchmans appreciates it. Thank you, Mrs. Kay.”

He told Giles the money would be used for much needed school supplies.

“There are teachers that need stuff every single day,” Garvey said. “They’re paying stuff out of their own pockets to make their classrooms fantastic.”

“The teachers are?” Bob said.

“Yeah,” Garvey said.

“So, how much would you need to fill that whole void?” Bob said.

After hearing how impact $1,000 was, Bob offered to pay for the remaining school supplies needed for teachers and students.

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