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7-year-old gets job at McDonald's so he can buy toys for other children

BICKNELL, Ind. — A little boy wanted extra money to go Christmas shopping, so he's putting in hours at his local McDonald's.

, around dinner time, the restaurant becomes the community's hub. It’s a place to grab a bite to eat after a long day’s work, and for some, a way to put food on the table.

That’s no different for their newest employee, Trenton Gardner.

“You see, when I wipe tables and customers are at the tables, I get paid for it,” he said. “It’s the coolest job I’ve ever done.”

Looking at him, one can’t help but notice that he appears a little young. Well, after all, he is only 7 years old.

“He asked for a job and they told him he was too young, and he burst into tears because he was so upset,” said General Manager Rhonda Butler.

Trenton's determination to get hired impressed Butler, so she worked with management to get him hired as an honorary employee. He even has his own uniform: a hat and an apron with his name tag on it.

For $1, he will wipe tables quickly and with a smile, but the money isn’t for him. He uses it to buy toys for children in his community.

Even his mother, Lindsey Gardner, said she's impressed.

"If he’s willing to do this so hard at 7, I can only imagine what he’s going to be like when he gets older," she said.

Trenton earns every dollar and says that it's important for him to work hard to make sure every child in his community has a Christmas to remember.