Photo of Chick-fil-A server working through injury goes viral

Jakeem Tyler, who was recently injured in a car accident, returned to work at Chick-fil-A because he didn't want to let his fellow workers down.

Christmas has come early for one injured Chick-fil-A worker.

A photo of a teen in a neck brace and sling working at an Indianapolis-area restaurant has gone viral-- and sparked a wildly successful fundraising campaign for the homeless.

Jakeem Tyler wasn't expected to be working the counter at Chick-fil-A in Avon, Ind., last Thursday. The Avon High School student, and part-time employee, had been injured in a car accident a week earlier, and when he walked in sporting a brace, his employers and co-workers told him he should go back home and recover.

But that day, Indianapolis resident Cameron Nelson went to Tyler's Chick-fil-A and was surprised to see the injured teen taking orders. He asked what had happened and the young worker told him about the accident but explained he needed the cash and said he also wanted to help the homeless this Christmas season.

Nelson took down Tyler's information, snapped a photo of the hardworking teen and posted it to Facebook along with a GoFundMe page, saying, "I think I may kick down a hundred or two on payday to help him out...he's definitely doin it for a great cause & I was amazed he's still workin despite his condition."

That was less than a week ago. Nelson’s Facebook post has since generated 28,000 likes, more than 13,000 shares and 113 comments.

And the Go Fund Me campaign? Nelson set the original fundraising goal at $2,500. On Wednesday morning, almost 600 people had donated $12,200, which Tyler says he’ll use to buy food and clothing for the homeless.

“When I came in that day, it was just for me, a day to work and share the gospel and just to spread love around,” Tyler told WISH-TV. “I just don’t know what to really say right now because I’m just in awe still."

Tyler, who claims to be a devout Christian, says he is incredibly grateful for Nelson's gesture.

“It was amazing to me to give back to people,” he said. “I always had it in my heart to give back to people.”