The Christmas season is in full swing. For many of us who are getting our Christmas shopping done, that might entail getting our present shopping done with the help of the internet and delivery. However, we sometimes don’t always think about those who are doing the delivering. It’s a high-pressure job around the holidays to be getting packages to people – but sometimes a little act of kindness and goodwill can go a long way to making our delivery people feel less stressed.
And not that long ago, someone left out a few snack bags of cookies and some bottled water for a delivery driver, who’s excited reactions was captured on a video that went viral.
THIS!❤️❤️ Made my day! I leave goodies out every year. Middletown, Delaware. #AmazonPrimeUpdated:The driver is Karim Earl Reed III – You are bringing millions of people joy! ❤️
Posted by Kathy Ouma on Monday, December 2, 2019
The video, captured on a Ring doorbell camera, was posted to Facebook by Kathy Ouma. It shows a delivery man approaching the door while carrying a package, and upon seeing the snacks he exclaims, “Ah, they got some goodies! Wow! Oh, this is sweet! Oh, wow, get out of here!” The sweetest part is after he helps himself to a few snacks, does a happy dance on the way back to his truck.
Ouma had left the snacks on her porch with a sign addressed to delivery drivers that read, “Please take some goodies to enjoy on your route. Thank you for making holiday shopping easy.” And her small act of kindness has earned her over 16 million views so far.
Although Ouma’s adorable video has begun an online conversation regarding kindness, she isn’t the first person to leave out a box of goodies for delivery people. Over the past few years, photos have circulated showing baskets of treats that people have left outside for delivery drivers during the holiday seasons.
For example, Tina Digilio from La Vista, Nebraska, has been leaving treats for delivery drivers for a few years now. Digilio has young children, so she often relies on online shopping in order to get a lot of her household goods delivered – often receiving packages around three times per week. She often puts out drinks and snacks throughout the year – especially during the warm summer months or around the holiday season.
My mom leaves out snacks for all the delivery workers during the holiday season I mean COME ON HOW AMAZING IS SHE?!?!?! pic.twitter.com/R73ug1dW2M
— Maura Partridge (@peartreee) November 26, 2018
“We really believe in having good karma,” she said to Woman’s Day.
Digilio’s family has a Ring doorbell, so she is able to see when a delivery arrives. She makes it a point to say thank you and has gotten to know some of the regular delivery drivers who bring her packages.
“We have one guy who delivers here all the time, and he always dances with his snacks,” she says. “I have one delivery driver who actually leaves bones for our dog.”
Who leaves a basket of snacks and drinks for the delivery folks? @CopWife1950, that's who.
Just one example of the little things she does that makes her so special.#CopWife #HappyHolidays pic.twitter.com/3J5ehY6dfS
— Officer Matt (@OfcrMatt) December 13, 2018
It was her husband, Matt, who works as a police officer, who originally posted Twitter about his wife leaving snacks for delivery drivers. Digilio said the post garnered a lot of positive attention, as well as inspired others.
“It’s nice for us because Matt sees a lot of negative all day, and to have him see some positive makes us all happy,” she says.
Lisa Gwin, a small business owner in Alexandria, Louisiana, has also been one to leave snacks for her delivery drivers over the years.
She said to Woman’s Day, “People are quick to chime in about what is placed in these goody baskets, but from the first-hand experience, our drivers didn’t care what was in there! They were just appreciative we thought of them.”
Snacks for the delivery troops – we’re on 24-hour schedule at this point. #PayItForward #thankful #misterpostman #tistheseason pic.twitter.com/T8YlL45MGp
— Heather Bowie Funk (@BowieFunk) December 8, 2018
Over the years, she’s included more healthy options in her care baskets in order to keep the delivery drivers fueled for the say, adding, “but it’s always things that are easy to grab and eat on the go.”
Digilio said, “I just think it’s really important to give back if you can make somebody smile once a day, that’s great. You never know what they’re going through.”
She noted that it’s important to be kind to delivery drivers – especially around the holidays when there are inundated with loads of packages from people expecting on-time deliveries.
**UPDATE** Our UPS guy just came by and I could hear him happily laughing before he rang our door bell! (He always hands…
Posted by Lisa Betts Gwin on Tuesday, December 13, 2016
Gwin shared a similar sentiment, saying that the holidays are a time for family, which is why she tries to be extra kind to those having to work long hours away from their loved ones.
“Their days are long, which causes them to miss out on a lot of the family holiday fun, and a lot of that is because of our increase in online shopping or shipping Christmas presents,” Gwin says. “I may not be able to help them get through their deliveries sooner, but I can at least help spread some Christmas cheer and show them that I notice their hard work and appreciate them.”
What lovely people. It’s nice to see that kindness still exists in this world.