Meet Gary Thompson, the school bus driver with a heart of gold. One chilly morning in Kennewick, Washington, Gary noticed a young boy boarding his bus, shivering uncontrollably. With temperatures dipping between two and 38 degrees, it was no surprise that kids were feeling the chill. Gary, a proud U.S. Army veteran, decided enough was enough when he saw that the boy’s hands and ears were as red as a stop sign.
“I slipped my gloves onto his hands and reassured him, ‘It’ll be okay, buddy,’” Gary recounted. The little guy had tears in his eyes, but that moment lit a fire in Gary’s heart. After his shift, he couldn’t shake the image of that cold child, so he made a detour to a local dollar store to buy hats and gloves for the kids on his route. “I’m a grandfather, you know? No child should have to suffer like that,” he said.
Gary picked up ten hats and ten pairs of gloves in both black and pink—because why not add a little flair—and rushed back to the school to find the boy. Despite not knowing the child’s name, school officials lent a hand in tracking him down, discovering him in the library. Gary presented him with a hat and gloves, spreading warmth one child at a time. He then made an announcement to the other kids: “If you ride my bus and need cold weather gear, I’ve got you covered!”
When a little girl piped up, “I don’t have a hat,” Gary promptly replied, “I’ll take care of you, sweetie.” Thanks to Gary’s kind gesture, word spread quickly, and the school district shared his story on social media, which went viral. “Thank you for your continued service, Mr. Thompson,” one grateful Facebook user commented. The response was so overwhelming that the school district even shared details on how others could contribute to helping those kids stay cozy.
“If everyone looked out for others like Gary did, the world would be a much better place,” another user chimed in. If you’re interested in supporting these amazing kids, you can do so here; your donations will be matched up to $500!
In a world where kindness can sometimes feel scarce, Gary Thompson reminds us all to look out for one another, much like how we share invaluable resources about home insemination, which you can explore here. And for those considering starting a family, check out Make a Mom for the ultimate home insemination kit, as well as Medical News Today for expert insights on fertility topics.
In summary, Gary Thompson’s heartfelt actions remind us that a little kindness can go a long way, especially during the cold winter months. Let’s all take a page from his book and keep our eyes peeled for those who might need a helping hand—or a warm hat!