Garbage truck driver’s random act of kindness starts a domino effect of goodwill

• A garbage truck driver was driving his usual route when he noticed a woman who appeared to be distraught. 
• The driver went out of his way to help the woman by giving her money, a hug, and a prayer.
• The owners of a deli across the street witnessed the incident and decided to help the woman, too. 

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One Thursday morning, while driving his regular route, a garbage truck driver spotted a woman who appeared to need assistance.

Mike Nance could have gone about his business as usual — he did have a job to complete, after all. However, spending a few moments out of his day to help someone else was more essential to him.

“Any time you see somebody walking around with everything that they own, talking to themselves — I don’t know. It just took over me,” Mike said. 

After talking to the woman, Mike decided to hand her some money. He also offered her a much-needed hug and a prayer.

Mike merely planned to help this one woman, but he had no idea that his simple act of compassion would inspire countless others to follow in his footsteps.

Dave Kuban and Carlos Gonzales, the owners of Dave and Charlie’s Hometown Deli across the street, witnessed what had transpired.

Carlos said they saw Mike giving the woman a real hug for a couple of minutes. Dave and Carlos, moved by the generosity they witnessed, went out of their way to help the woman, making her breakfast and bringing it to her. 

 “It’s a domino effect,” Carlos said. 

To keep the chain reaction going, they took images of Mike and the woman and posted them in a local Facebook group. They also hoped that by doing so, they would be able to identify the garbage truck driver and offer him a free meal in appreciation for his kindness.

“We wanted to show him we appreciate him doing something like that,” said Carlos. “We need that in the world today.”

Mike said he doesn’t know how to feel about the recognition.

Thanks to social media, they were able to locate him immediately! Mike was thrilled to find that so many people recognized what he had accomplished, but at the end of the day, all that counts to him is that more people are learning to be kind to one another.

“I’m a garbage man. We’re about the community. I’m about the community. I love Norwalk. I’m from Norwalk. I was born here. So whatever I can do to help, that’s what I’m going to do.”

Source: Inspire More