Dallen Harrell is the 24-year-old UPS driver who went viral for congratulating a mom on her new baby. After delivering their package, Dallen paused and looked into the home’s doorbell camera. Then he said, “If this is the ‘It’s a Boy’ house… I hope all is going well with your newborn. I had a child around the same time you guys did and I just hope everything is going good. God bless, happy holidays.” He explained he had recalled seeing a large stork sign by the same house about a month earlier.
“I was just so blown away by the fact… that he took the time to stop and do it, and more so that he was so observant that he remembered this,” said Jessica Kitchel, the 36-year-old mother from Georgia.
After leaving the message, Dallen thought the story was over. Kindness is just part of his nature, as he said, “I’d give someone the shirt off my back, and the last change in my cup holder.” But then Jessica shared the clip of his heartfelt message on Instagram, with the caption: “...It was good to be reminded that there are still great people working hard every day for us! I really wish I knew his name but I hope he comes back and if he does there will be diapers waiting for him!”[1]
UPS Driver Leaves a Kind Wishes For a New Mom
The video has amassed over a hundred thousand views and now includes a link to Dallen’s Instagram page. In an interview with Bored Panda, Jessica explained she was touched that Dallen would take the time to leave a message that could’ve gone unnoticed. “Not only remembered it was our house, but he took the time to send me a message that he didn’t know if I would ever see.” Additionally, he had no idea that Jessica was stuck at home for the past three weeks after giving birth via cesarean section. She felt tired, lonely, and like Dallen was “an angel sent to her that Friday.” [2]
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When she announced she wanted to find this UPS driver, her followers joined her search. “So many people messaged me asking if I found him because they wanted to help, too!” said Jessica. Some people in that area went out of their way to identify the UPS drivers delivering to them and one person asked her husband who worked at UPS to try to locate him. Finally, a few weeks later, Jessica and Dallen met in person. And he made sure to acknowledge “the doorbell that made me famous” in another adorable security video clip.
The Reward of Kindness
When Dallen admitted his baby Deveraux didn’t have a baby shower because he had to work at the time, Jessica sent him a delivery full of treats and toys. Plus, she shared a link to his registries with Buy Buy Baby and Target with his permission. “A lot of people wanted to help him and he was very touched by this,” said Jessica. Turns out, “a lot” was an understatement. Dallen had to add items to the registry for everyone who wanted to buy his family a gift. At one point, Dallen was receiving about 15 packages a day. But the good fortune was not over.
UPS gave Dallen a tablet for his good work and offered him a full-time driver position. A UPS spokesperson commented on this story, saying, “This is one of many great examples of how our people are delivering what matters every day. Dallen’s action was heartwarming, so we helped to connect the customer with Dallen and we also offered him a permanent driver job. We’re thrilled to say he has accepted!”
So Dallen received gifts from Jessica, countless strangers, and a promotion during the holidays. “When I left the comment at the doorbell, I didn’t even expect to hear from them, and so many blessings have followed behind,” he said.
Read: Mom gives birth to 3 girls on the same day exactly 3 years apart
“Kindness is Free”
NBC News, among several news outlets, also covered their story. In their interview, Dallen said to Jessica, “I can’t put into words, profusely, how grateful I am for you.” In the clip, both parents are holding their new bundles of joy. [3]
Jessica said, “Dallen’s message reminded me that kindness is free…” She added that she would like to raise her son to be like Dallen, to teach him to love people as Dallen does.
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Sources
- Instagram. Jess Kitchel. December 2021
- “UPS Driver Leaves A Kind Message For New Mom On Her Doorbell Camera, Gets A Promotion And Is Showered With Gifts In Return.” Bored Panda. Ignas Vieversys and Gabija Palšytė.
- “UPS driver delivers touching tribute to new mom.” NBC News. January 9, 2022