UPS Driver Brought To Tears After Neighbors Honor Him For His Work

Hundreds of people showed up to honor their favorite UPS driver, Anthony Gaskin, who has been “a light” during the pandemic

The pandemic has taken a toll on many aspects of American life and work, particularly when it comes to the mail and package delivery. One neighborhood in Richmond, Virginia decided to give a huge “thank you” to their UPS driver, Anthony Gaskin, who they consider to be a hard-working hero.

The members of the Richmond community that Gaskin serves absolutely loves him, that much is clear. When Gaskin entered the neighborhood during his regular delivery route last week, he saw hundreds of people lining the street, cheering for him. They wanted to thank him for being an uplifting, “positive light” during the last 10 months of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Patty Friedman, the neighbor who organized the event through Facebook, wanted Gaskin to know his hard work and dedication has not gone unnoticed.

“Through COVID, Anthony has continued working, delivering packages at our doors, record numbers of them, over 180 times to date,” Friedman told WTVR. “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.”

She mentioned wanting to thank Gaskin to a few people in the neighborhood, and the response she got was massive. Hundreds of neighbors were on-board with celebrating him for his positive attitude and keeping up with the strenuous demands of his job this year.

When Gaskin pulled up on his route last Tuesday, he was greeted with tons of people, and cars, and signs shouting his name and cheering. The line of cars that showed up — well, whew. How overwhelmingly touching, and what a lovely way to pay tribute to those who deserve it in 2020.

His UPS supervisors were even in on the celebration (here’s hoping they give him a much-earned 2020 raise).

Gaskin slowly drove his truck down the road while kids and adults held signs and cheered for him, honked their horns, and even rang bells (’tis the season). He got out of the truck to take it all in, and began wiping away tears. The touching moments were captured on camera by local photographer Lexi Hanrahan.

“Anthony always smiles, waves, and goes above and beyond to deliver packages with care,” one neighbor told WTVR. “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!”

Per CBS News, another neighbor acknowledged that during these lonely times, Gaskin’s brief presence at their doorstep brings a much-needed moment of respite from the loneliness.

“Sometimes he is the only outside face we see during the day,” the neighbor said. “We appreciate his hard work and dedication during the pandemic, which delivered food, supplies, and even holiday gifts to a high-risk family.