Even though there's been a ton of good news surrounding the coronavirus vaccine, it's still going to take some time to get the virus fully under control. Having a vaccine that's been tested by researchers and scientists should make everyone feel as if the end is near. But there are still plenty of essential workers out there who aren't able to work from the safety of their own homes.
Grocery store workers, medical workers, pharmacists, and postal workers are some of the many who still need to face every morning head-on. So it's nice when they can get a little bit of recognition. In order to keep spirits up and make their tough jobs slightly easier, people are doing everything they can to help support the essential workers in their communities.
Here are just a few moments that may very well bring you to tears.
1. One bar patron left a huge tip, hoping it'd save the business he loves.
Bars have been one of the riskiest places to venture to. But they're still an important part of our communities. For many, bars are a place to unwind. For others, they're a great way to meet new people.
One gentleman reportedly left a $3,000 tip after paying just $7 for a beer. The owner of the bar initially thought the patron had made a mistake, but the man convinced the owner he was serious, saying, "I'll see you when you reopen."
2. Petit Cafe made plenty of baked goods for essential workers.
Essential workers often don't have time for breaks. That's why gifts of food are so important — workers literally need the energy. Petit Cafe in Oakland, California, has shared plenty of food with local essential workers, captioning a delicious-looking photo with "Another donation trip down the street to treat essential workers in our community!"
3. Denisse Montalvan created a snack bar for delivery drivers.
Denisse wanted to thank drivers who've been making sure that all of our packages are arriving on time and in good condition. "Can't imagine the stress and work demands postal and all delivery drivers must experience this season, especially with 2020 forcing everyone to shop mostly online!" she wrote. "Let's be extra nice to them both at home and on the road!"
4. Karlie Kloss shared a video of an essential worker getting applause from her neighbors.
Karlie admits that she loves hearing good stories about essential workers being honored, and she passed along this meaningful video. A woman who works on an ambulance is literally in tears after seeing her entire neighborhood give her a round of applause. It's a small yet powerful gesture — and very well-deserved.
5. KTVB collected many words of kindness from patrons who loved the kindness of Walmart employees.
This video clip showcases some of the sweet words that people had after things got sparse in a local Walmart. The fact that employees didn't panic when people started hoarding supplies was noted by many. They still went into work every day and did the best they could. It's amazing when you remember how powerful a kind statement can be.
6. A mail carrier was brought to tears after receiving a thank-you letter.
It just goes to show you how powerful the written word can be. This moment, caught on film, is enough to make anyone choke up. Consider writing letters to your own mail carrier, since it'll legitimately make their day.
7. Rosedale Baptist Church created a personal video with its students to thank essential workers.
Students safely took videos in their own homes, thanking the essential workers in their lives. Some of the students even got personal by holding up photos of the workers who meant the most to them. Not only is it a sweet gesture, but it's a wonderful keepsake.
8. Emerson Weber told her mailman how much he meant to her (especially due to her passion for letter writing).
Emerson's story went viral, since it was a reminder of how important mail can be in order to communicate with friends and loved ones. Everyone loves getting letters in the mail — especially Emerson. The note meant so much to the post office employees that she ended up getting hundreds of letters from postal carriers from all over to thank her for her kindness.
9. Ellen Pompeo thanked nurses in a video she posted on Instagram.
In the video, she acknowledged that doctors and nurses don't have the ability to stay home to stay healthy. "This is my nurses and doctors and all the health-care workers appreciation post," she said. "Many of us have the privilege to self-quarantine and isolate and try to stay healthy, and none of you have that privilege. You all have to be on the front lines of this thing and what is certainly bad now but will most definitely get worse in the next couple of weeks." The video got over 780,000 likes.
10. Brad Carter and his soon-to-be wife gave all of their leftover wedding snacks to delivery drivers.
Brad Carter and his soon-to-be-wife Brittney had their wedding canceled due to COVID-19. Instead of returning all the snacks that they were going to provide to their guests, they offered them to delivery drivers — and as you can see, it made their day.
11. Macy's thanked essential workers with a festive window display.
The window displays are a big deal every year — and many fans feared they wouldn't go up this year. Thankfully, Macy's pulled it together and made sure to thank all of the workers in New York. Without them, the city wouldn't have continued to thrive. Macy's continued the good vibes on Facebook, thanking these employees for their "grit, good humor and hopeful spirit during this tumultuous year."
12. A new customer tried to save Jan Dobr's brand-new business with a large tip.
While we all knew about the coronavirus, we didn't realize the massive effect it'd have on restaurants and small businesses. New businesses in general carry a risk — even more so if it happens right before a pandemic. Jan Dobr opened the Beachfront Kitchen and Bar in Myrtle Beach, Florida, this February. But he has been struggling to keep it running. Thankfully, a kind patron believed in Jan so much that he wrote out a $1,000 tip on a $19 check, just to help out.
