California Sorority Surprises Housekeeper With $21,000 for New Car
Fannie Randle has been housekeeper for the Gamma Phi Beta sorority for 24 years.
— -- Fannie Randle got the surprise of her life two weeks ago when "her girls" at the University of Southern California's Gamma Phi Beta sorority, where has been housekeeper for decades, presented her with a $21,000 check to put towards a brand new car.
"I almost passed out," said Randle, 65, with a laugh. "I never in my wildest dreams thought I had so many good friends. I think it's the best thing that's ever happened to me. I can't thank those kids enough.
"I walk in and their smiling face brighten up my whole day. They're just so wonderful."
Randle has been keeping house for the sorority for 24 years.
In less than one week, the sisters raised $21,000 for their beloved housekeeper. They presented the gift on April 20 at Gamma Phi Beta's Staff and Alumni Appreciation Dinner.
"Her reaction was priceless," said Gamma Phi Beta's former president, Alicia Jewell, 21. "She was so excited, jumping up and down and screaming, 'Yes!' She said she needed to sit down before she fell over.
"She came up to me the next day and said, 'You're the best friend I've ever had," Jewell added.
Jewell told ABC News that although Randle had been saving money to buy a new car for some time, the sorority wanted to help move the process along.
"I've always seen her car and I had talked to her about it," she said. "The hardest thing for her was coming down with the down payment, and I had been thinking for a while that we should do something nice for her."
From there, Jewell organized a GoFundMe page to cover the cost of Randle's car.
"Fannie has been driving the same little, red, bucket car, as she would call it, since I met her my sophomore year," Jewell said. "The whole side was held together with duct tape. And Fannie just works so hard, I didn't want her to have to worry about something like that. That's why I wanted to make a difference for her."
"Fannie would do anything for us," Jewell added. "She's hardworking, she's loving, she's supportive. You can talk to her literally about everything, and its wonderful for us college students who are away from home.
"The best thing about her is her energy," Jewell said. "She's so happy and infectious and it's a great start to our morning every day."
Beth Saul, USC's director of fraternity and sorority leadership development, said in a statement to ABC News that her office "is delighted with the outpouring of compassion and generosity in raising these funds for Fannie, Gamma Phi Beta’s loyal and beloved house keeper for over two decades. ... This is one extraordinary example of how USC sororities and fraternities give their time and heart to enrich our community.”
Randle said she is forever grateful to the girls for giving her a moment that she'll never forget.
She hopes to be driving either a new blue Honda or Kia within the next few weeks.
ABC News' Emily Shapiro contributed to this report
