Boy leaves Gatorade, water in cooler for mailman

(Terra McDaniel, Facebook)


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NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — Instead of heading straight to the pool on a scorching summer day, a Virginia boy set out on a mission to keep his neighborhood mailman cool and comfortable.

Eight-year-old Carmine McDaniel grew concerned last week when temperatures soared over 100 degrees. One person he knew would have to battle the heat all day long — his mailman, Henry Bailey.

So Carmine decided he wanted to do something to help.

“I just thought because it was really hot outside and I didn’t want him to maybe pass out or anything,” he told 13 News. “They are really important so people can pay their bills and stuff like that.”

With a little help from his mom, Carmine hauled a cooler onto his front porch and filled it with water and Gatorade for Bailey. He even made sure to leave his mailman a note, so he would know the drinks were for him.

“Mailman,” the note reads. “Water and Gatorade in cooler. Have a good day.”

Carmine’s mom, Terra McDaniel, recorded Bailey’s priceless reaction when he approached the house and noticed the cooler. The melting mailman was thrilled at the chance to rehydrate and cool off.

The video was posted to Facebook and had been viewed more than 77,000 times as of Wednesday morning.

“And this is how you change the world,” wrote one commenter. “I truly loved this video!”

McDaniel said her son wants to keep the cooler outside throughout the summer — serving Bailey, the city’s sanitation workers, UPS delivery men and others.

“It’s opened up his mind to help others who work outside in hot conditions,” McDaniel told Today. “He’s a really selfless 8-year-old. He’s an old soul.”

As for Bailey, he’ll never forget Carmine’s kindness.

“It makes it all worth it,” Bailey told 13 News.

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Jessica Ivins

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