The news these days is often depressing at worst and frustrating at best. It’s easy to get caught up in the spin cycle and let it get us down. Never fear… The News Blender has you covered. Once a week, we feature Something Good and, in return, all you have to do is tell us something good that has happened to you this week, something you are thankful for, a joke, a cute animal story, an inspiring tale of heroics, a Random Act of Kindness… SOMETHING good!
This week’s Something Good is how kindness can be a two-way street.
Anthony Gaskins, a UPS driver in Virginia, is something of a hero to the people of Hallsley. He has been a lifesaver during the pandemic for many there – literally, if you count the medicines he delivers alongside the other packages he brings to the doorsteps of this one neighborhood alone.
Patty Friedman told WTVR that Gaskins helped her feel welcome when she moved to Hallsley during the pandemic and when she mentioned that to a few of her neighbors, she found she was not alone in her appreciation for Anthony.
One high risk family in the neighborhood said, “Anthony always delivers our packages with a wave and a smile. Sometimes he is the only outside face we see during the day. We appreciate his hard work and dedication during the pandemic, which delivered food, supplies, and even holiday gifts.”
“My six-year-old daughter hasn’t seen either set of grandparents in over a year,” one grateful neighbor wrote. “This has been very hard on everyone. Many of the packages you deliver are from them. The joy the packages bring makes it worthwhile. Thank you for always delivering them with a kind smile and a friendly wave!”
“Anthony always smiles, waves, and goes above and beyond to deliver packages with care,” another neighbor said. “He makes you feel like a friend when you see him. He brightens our day, whenever he drops off a package, which is frequently at our house! He stands out from ALL other delivery drivers and we love him! Cheers to Anthony!”
All that appreciation led Patty planning a surprise party, social distancing style, for the beloved UPS driver who has worked day in and day out to deliver packages with a smile for all.
On December 15, neighbors gathered and lined the street, waving signs and yelling his name as he drove slowly by. Patty says Anthony is a humble man and had to be coaxed to drive down the street to be appreciated. In addition to the signs and cheers, Anthony’s supervisor was there to present him with a gift and the people of Hallsley had a gift basket for him as well. Gaskins was moved by the gestures of appreciation and then, predictably, got right back to work.
This year has been difficult for everyone but as Christmas approaches the idea of “goodwill to men” means more now than it perhaps ever has to us. Kindness brings more to the giver, often times, than it does to the receiver and ’tis the season to share kindness freely. A smile and a wave and gestures of appreciation can mean the world to someone in need of some good will so, if you can, pour out some good will wherever you can. You never know when you will be someone’s something good.
Now it’s your turn… Tell me Something Good.
