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Randy Dorris' co-workers and friends surprised him Thursday with a new set of wheels and his very own parking place.
"How many employees have their own personal parking spot?" a smiling Dorris said to the crowd of friends gathered around him.
Called the Edwardsville Culver's ambassador by his boss, 31-year-old Dorris was the new owner of a three-wheeled recumbent bicycle. It was fitted with a white metal box with the Culver's restaurant logo on the back for groceries and hauling other items. A white sign with his name on it marked his bike's new parking spot.
Dorris suffered debilitating injuries at age 6, when he was hit by a vehicle.
Culver's owner Kelly Cobb said he brings so much to the workplace that staff and friends wanted to give something back to him.
"Everybody just loves Randy to death," Culver's employee Cheryl Schneider said.
Dorris has been a Culver's employee since it opened in January 2006.
Dave Lawson, owner of the Goshen Driving Range next to Culver's, said Dorris will show up for his shifts several hours in advance just in case someone needs his help.
"If someone feels bad, come and talk to Randy," Lawson said.
Not able to drive, Dorris rode a bicycle or walked the roughly 1 1/2 miles to work. One day, the two-wheeled bicycle Dorris bought at Goodwill was stolen from him while he was inside McDonald's.
The idea of the three-wheeled bicycle began with Lawson, who Dorris has adopted as his "Pop" along with the rest of Lawson's family.
The three-wheeled bicycle is a safer option for Dorris than a two-wheeled bicycle. Dorris agreed it was easier to ride after he circled the parking lot a few times.
Dorris said he loves coming to work, and the best part about his job is all of his co-workers and friends.
"It makes you feel great to see him so excited," Cobb said.
