Students throw janitor a heartwarming 80th birthday bash at school

ZEBULON, Georgia (FOX 35 ORLANDO) - An 80th birthday bash for a beloved elementary school janitor is taking the internet by storm!

Haze Mabry works at Pike County Elementary School. Last week when he showed up to work, instead of clean-up duty, Mabry was greeted by hundreds of students who threw him the perfect 80th birthday party!

Lining the hallways with banners, balloons and homemade cards, nearly 800 students broke into song, singing Mabry 'Happy Birthday.' Many even got out of line to give the long-time school janitor a big hug.

“They’re like my children,” Mabry said in an interview with The Washington Post. “I’m like the old lady in the shoe.”

He's worked at the school for 13 years, arriving at 6:30 a.m. each day and doesn't clock out until 5:30 p.m.

Mabry, an Army veteran, says he doesn't know every name of each child, but he knows their faces. The school says he is truly the heart of the campus.

"We are so excited that his story is reaching so many!" said Pike County Elementary School staff member Mandy Mayfield. "He deserves to be celebrated BIG!"