Anthony Gaskin is a UPS driver who has been working hard all year, delivering up to 200 packages a day during the pandemic and the busy holiday season. He is a friendly and cheerful person who always greets his customers with a smile and a wave.
One of his regular customers is Patty Friedman, who lives in Hallsley, a neighborhood in Chesterfield County, Virginia. Patty moved in during the pandemic and felt very lonely.
“Through COVID, Anthony has continued working, delivering packages at our doors and recording the number of them over 180 times to date,” Hallsley wrote in an email. “I wanted to thank him personally for how much he helped me feel welcome when I moved in during a pandemic. It was terribly lonely, and he was always the highlight of my day. I mentioned this to a few people, and the response I got was all I needed to know: I was not alone.”
But she soon realized she was not the only one who appreciated him.
She talked to some of her neighbors and found out that they all loved Anthony and his service. They decided to do something special for him to show their gratitude.
On Tuesday, December 15, they planned a surprise for him. They gathered on the road with bikes, cars, signs, horns, and bells. They waited for Anthony to come around the corner with his truck. He was shy at first, but they cheered him on, and he slowly drove down the road.
When he saw hundreds of people holding signs with his name, shouting his name, honking their horns, and ringing their bells, he was touched by their gestures and thanked them all. He then went back to work with a big smile on his face.
“Anthony always smiles, waves, and goes above and beyond to deliver packages with care,” another neighbor wrote. “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 the other delivery drivers, and we love him! Cheers to Anthony!”
Anthony is a hero who deserves recognition and appreciation. He has been working tirelessly to bring joy and convenience to his customers. He has a big heart, a positive attitude, and is an inspiration to us all.
Share this story with your friends and family to celebrate Anthony and his amazing work!