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SUMMERFIELD - It's not every day you hear about a teenage boy giving away hundreds of dollars at school, but that's exactly what happened at Northwest High School this week.

Michael Harper, 17, gave the money to two custodians at the school. The senior said he was inspired by their hard work and kindness.

"You just feel good giving it away," Michael said at the school on Friday.

Michael's mother, Tressie, gave her son $1,500 to give away as he saw fit. She said she was inspired several weeks ago by a television show to give all three of her children about $3,000 to give out.

Tressie said her family has been blessed and she wanted her children to help others: "I just want them to realize the importance of giving."

Michael gave money to one of the janitors on Thursday. He said Richard Pinnix is a good friend and that the two often tease one another.

On Friday, he surprised Rosita Faumuina with a gift. Faumuina moved to Greensboro to help her niece and three nephews. To help make ends meet she also works at McDonald's, where Michael said he often gets breakfast.

Seeing her turn up at both places got Michael thinking about how hard it must be to work so much. With the Christmas cash in his pocket, Michael set out to make life a little easier for her.

"I swear to God I almost had a heart attack," Faumuina said. "This is the first time someone has given me something like this."

With tears in her eyes, Faumuina said she is going to give some of the money to her church and spend the rest on presents for her three nephews. She said she is grateful and proud of Michael.

The Harpers' other two children, Ashton, 19, and Jacob, 9, are also giving money to charity. Tressie said her daughter wants to give her money to women and children, and the two will visit a local shelter to do that. Meanwhile Jacob is still deciding but thinks he'd like to give some money to a rest home.

The money came with only two requirements, Tressie said. The children must write down how they gave the money away and they must do it with God in their hearts.

The act of kindness has made Michael a celebrity at the school, albeit an uncomfortable one. He said that after word got out, some kids came up to him asking for cash or telling him he's crazy for giving the money away.

Michael said he's taking the responsibility seriously and wants to do the most good he can with the money.

"You don't get this chance often," he said, "and I don't want to get it wrong."

Contact J. Brian Ewing at 373-7351 or brian.ewing@news-record.com