When UPS delivery driver Anthony Gaskin came to make one of his regular deliveries, an entire neighborhood lined the road to thank their local hero for his service during the pandemic.
When the residents of Hallsley neighborhood in Richmond, Virginia, needed to stay home during the dark days of the pandemic, Anthony was always there to make sure they received everything they needed. His deliveries have been life-saving, both literally and figuratively.
“Even though his truck does not have sirens and his uniform does not offer added fire protection, Anthony Gaskins is considered a hero in the Hallsley neighborhood,” wrote Hallsley resident Patty Friedman. “Through COVID, Anthony has continued working, delivering packages at our doors, record numbers of them, over 180 times to date. 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. Mentioning this to a few people and the response I got was all I needed to know I was not alone.”
Patty and her neighborhood wanted to show their appreciation to Anthony, so they all decided to line the road which enters their community and give him a great big thank you; holding signs, honking horns, and yelling ‘thank you’ as loud as they could.
“Arriving on bikes, on foot, and in more than 75 cars, hundreds of Hallsley residents lined the road and waited for Anthony to turn the corner. A humble man, he needed to be coaxed, but eventually, slowly drove his truck down the road while children and adults held up signs, screamed his name, honked their horns, and rang bells. Gaskins’ supervisors even showed up to present him with a gift. The neighborhood gesture visibly moved Gaskins, who spoke briefly, thanked everyone, and then got back to work.”
“Anthony always smiles, waves, and goes above and beyond to deliver packages with care,” one 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!”
“Thank you Anthony for all you do,” another neighbor said. “My 6-year-old daughter hasn’t seen either set of grandparents in over a year. 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!”
“Sometimes he is the only outside face we see during the day,” another neighbor wrote. “We appreciate his hard work and dedication during the pandemic, which delivered food, supplies, and even holiday gifts to a high-risk family.”
With so many essential workers giving their all and braving the risks of the pandemic to serve those around them, let’s all remember to thank them in any way we can.
You are Loved.
See Also: Food Delivery Man Breaks Down In Tears After A Kind Customer Orders A Birthday Cake For Him
Please share kindness with others: when we share stories and examples of compassion and kindness, we inspire and encourage others to be kind and compassionate in their daily lives, making the world a better place for everyone.
View this post on Instagram
