Acts of Kindness
Garbagemen think it’s a regular day on the job until they’re ambushed by entire neighborhood along route
Even the mayor was waiting for them, making the garbagemen break down and cry when they saw the neighbors blocking the road.
Irene Markianou
07.29.20

A lot has been said about “essential workers” during the COVID-19 pandemic, and they have been rightfully appreciated and praised on social media and by the press.

Unsplash/ Stephanie Martin
Source:
Unsplash/ Stephanie Martin

But who are those “essential workers”? Do we refer to doctors, nurses, restaurant employees, grocery store workers, pharmacists, and teachers who have had to work while everyone else had just one job: to stay at home?

Well, of course, all of the above, but we shouldn’t forget about sanitation workers, whose main responsibility is to keep our neighborhoods clean and, consequently, us safe.

Unsplash/ James Day
Source:
Unsplash/ James Day

But some of those people don’t just limit to picking up trash; they sometimes go above and beyond for the neighborhoods they serve. Like Saul Scruggs and Keon Richardson, who are two garbagemen in Miami, and who have managed to make a whole neighborhood love them.

Residents of North Bay Road on Miami Beach decided to surprise the duo the other day, by throwing a little celebration for them in order to show the appreciation for their great work.

YouTube Screenshot
Source:
YouTube Screenshot

Saul and Keon just thought they were showing up to their regular collection route, but they were wrong. The whole neighborhood was waiting for them, the Mayor included, in order to celebrate their amazing job.

The two men were shocked at first, and they even got emotional when they received their gift-bags, cards, and presents. One little boy gave them a mini trash truck, which they were particularly happy to receive.

Jennifer Elegant, a Miami Beach resident, who wrote the invitations to the special celebration, talked about the two men who have had such a positive impact on the local community.

YouTube Screenshot
Source:
YouTube Screenshot

“They do so much more than pick up our trash. What is particularly special about these two men is the positive energy that they bring with them,” Elegant wrote in the event’s invitation. “They always have smiles … If you know them, you love them!”

Indeed, the two men have done so much more about this community than just picking up trash.

One day, actually, Saul spent 45 minutes helping a neighbor dig through her trash to look for her lost wedding ring. In another case, he waited with a neighbor with heart issues for more than an hour until the ambulance arrived.

YouTube Screenshot
Source:
YouTube Screenshot

For these reasons and many more, the neighborhood felt they owed this surprise party to them, and they realized it now that everyone needs a reason to smile more than ever!

“They continue to maintain their upbeat demeanor even during this stressful COVID-19 pandemic, sacrificing their own safety in order to keep our city clean and beautiful,” Elegant said.

In fact, the woman, who teaches psychology at Miami Dade College, has invited the two men to her classes to talk to her students and share their wisdom, positivity, and “inspiring levels of happiness”.

YouTube Screenshot
Source:
YouTube Screenshot

The surprise social distancing celebration was a huge success and everyone enjoyed the moments they spent together, even wearing masks. One could still see the happiness in each other’s faces that were reflected in their eyes.

What an amazing initiative and what a great neighborhood that appreciates the impact those people have had on them. It would be great if they set an example for other neighborhoods to follow.

You can watch the story in detail in the video below.

Please SHARE this with your friends and family.

Advertisement