A school bus driver was given an unexpected gift of appreciation after returning to Grand Avenue Middle School in Bellmore for an end-of-the-year farewell.

Preston Bowman, an eighth-grade student, entered a contest by the company Ving that asked teenagers across the nation to create a video explaining who they would give $1,000 to.

Bowman chose his bus driver, Augustine Val.

Val has four children and two grandchildren in college right now. He says the money will be a big help to his family.

Val was one of 250 people nationwide to receive the tax-free $1,000.