BIRMINGHAM, Ala. June 19 2019  Many community members of Mountain brook joined together to raise thousands of dollars to help the local school security guard after he lost his home in a fire.

Wilbur Ryce, or Mr. Wilbur as many of the students know him, is the security guard at Mountain Brook High School. Although he’s only been at the school for two years, he’s already built a bond with many of the students.

“Mr. Wilbur is the first person you see in the morning, and he greets you every morning, and he says goodbye in the afternoon,” Anna Rose Alexander said.

After word got around that he lost everything in a house fire the same day as graduation, Anna Rose wanted to find a way to help her school’s security guard in his time of need. She graduated this Spring and is headed to Auburn in the Fall.

“The morning after it happened, my mom got an email and she woke me up immediately to tell me that he was ok but that his house burned down,” Alexander said, “so then I started to think about what I could do and I decided to make the Gofundme.”

The Gofundme account was shared on social media and the fundraiser took off raising over $16,000. Many people who know Mr. Wilbur made donations leaving sweet comments highlighting his character.

“We are new to Mountain Brook and driving my daughter into the high school and seeing Mr. Wilbur’s friendly smile and wave was so welcoming,” one comment said.

Through the hundreds of donations, Mr. Wilbur was able to move into a new home.WIAT