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James works as an overnight security guard for a residential building at Rhode Island's Providence College.

A beloved mentor to students, James mentioned that he had not seen his family in Nigeria in more than a decade.

Students worked together to start a GoFundMe to send James to Nigeria, and it went viral.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — Several students at Providence College in Providence, Rhode Island, recently came together to give their building's security guard the gift of a lifetime.

"It just incredible to see how fast God works, especially in our community," Brandon Reichert said. "We never thought that number would be possible."

Reichert, a PC freshman, told Nexstar's WPRI 12 News he was moved to create a GoFundMe page for their residential building's overnight security guard James, who had told him he hadn't visited his family in Nigeria in more than a decade.

The money raised was put toward sending James, who's also known as "Unc," on a trip home, according to Reichert. He said James has become a mentor and close friend throughout his time at PC.

Sophomore Daniel Singh said everyone loves James.

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"He's just someone you're drawn toward," Singh said. "He's kind and compassionate. After a Friday night out, you come back and James is there and he's not tired, he's not sleeping. He's up and awake and ready to talk to you."

When Reichert gifted James the $3,000 he'd raised for him, the security guard fell to his knees.

"This was unexpected," James told the students in a TikTok video that's since gone viral. "I don't know how much I can thank you guys. I pray from the bottom of my heart and will continue to protect you guys."

The donations haven't stopped since James received the money for his trip home. Efforts to help James visit his family are picking up steam, and the GoFundMe page so far has raised more than $7,000.

"You have parents, cousins, relatives and other people donating that wouldn't even know who James is," Singh said. "It really speaks to how moving he is and how moving the community can be."