Turns was so overwhelmed with emotion that he pulled his handkerchief to wipe his eyes.
“The whole city had a personal experience with Chad,” said Adam Shickley. “He once thought a package was a gift and had a picture on the front. My kids were playing outside, so he waited until his shift was over and came back to make sure they didn’t see him.”
Turns is known for his consideration and kindness, even after working long hours during the Covid-19 pandemic, said Jenny Shickley, adding that he often leaves treats for his dogs when delivering packages.
She organized the special event after people commented in a group post on Facebook about the good work Turns was doing.
She raised $ 1,000 for Turns in two weeks in the small town in central Pennsylvania. The group gave him the generous gift with a large card signed by members of the community. The city has a population of 800, according to the Census Bureau.
Adam Shickley said that Turns took care of them for a year and they wanted to take care of him.
“I am still thrilled and it is moving that this community has such a strong feeling for me,” Turns told CNN.
Turns said it was a difficult year for everyone with the pandemic and said that all UPS drivers deserve to be thanked in this way.
Turns added that he will pay to continue to provide the stellar service for which he is known, something his employer repeated.
“Chad is a big UPSer and has been delivering to Dauphin residents for more than a decade,” said UPS spokesman Jackie Fajt in a statement. “Celebrations like this really highlight the bond that our drivers have with their customer base. We appreciate that UPS drivers like Chad are being recognized for how they are making our world move forward.”