UPS worker lunches with Clinton

Ex-president had read story of LR co-workers buying car

Former President Bill Clinton treated a Little Rock UPS worker to lunch Saturday after reading a story about him on CNN that attracted worldwide attention earlier this year.

The story recounted how Trenton Lewis, 21, walked 11 miles to work each day at the UPS distribution center at 5501 Fourche Dam Pike in Little Rock because he didn't have a vehicle, and how his co-workers raised about $1,200 to buy him a car.

Clinton invited Lewis to a meal at the 42 Bar and Table restaurant at the Clinton Presidential Center in February, and Lewis, his daughter and co-workers took the president up on the offer Saturday.

Lewis said that after walking to work from September 2017 to February, he was overwhelmed and thankful to receive the 2006 Saturn Ion from his co-workers. He's now been a package handler with UPS for 10 months.

"I've seen stuff like that on social media. Not once did I ever think it would happen to me," he said.

Lewis said he can now take his daughter -- who will turn 2 in October -- to her doctors' appointments or wherever she wants or needs to go.

"I'm able to move around a lot more," he said.

As for deciding to go to lunch Saturday, Lewis said he "just figured that I'd never met a president."

He said he had fun at lunch. Clinton didn't order anything to eat, Lewis said, though he did take a few fries from Lewis' plate.

They talked about American history, Vietnam and other topics.

"The experience was great," Lewis said.

State Desk on 07/20/2018

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