Online shoppers leave treats for delivery drivers
When awaiting Santa's delivery of toys and goodies, it's a time-honored tradition to leave milk and cookies on the mantel.
But what to do when it's not so much jolly old St. Nick who needs to arrive on time but the delivery driver bearing that last-minute online purchase?
Why, leave a cooler with Gatorade, chips and chocolates on the porch, of course!
It's a simple holiday gesture dotting porches in towns such as Naperville, as residents look for ways to say thanks to the worker-elves who make their gifting go smoothly.
Residents are leaving coolers stocked with free snacks and bottled drinks for delivery drivers, mail carriers and garbage collectors who stop by during the day.
“Those are the people that work so hard behind the scenes to help us, and it's just a nice way to help them,” said Jessica Jozwiak of Naperville, who has kept a cooler of goodies on her porch since Cyber Monday.
Jozwiak heard of the idea from a friend who lives in Alabama and said she was drawn to the simplicity of thanking drivers for delivering all the gifts she and her family ordered from the Internet.
“We did almost all of our shopping online,” she said. “We have two college kids, so it was just easier that way.”
The cooler, which she fills with water bottles, Gatorade, Cheez-Its, chocolate-covered pretzels and M&M's, has been a hit.
“It gets depleted every day,” she said.
Since Jozwiak posted pictures of her cooler on Facebook, she said the idea began to spread, with two Naperville friends and one in Ohio joining the trend.
“I love the idea that with whoever came to the door they could have a little treat, get a snack, grab a water if they need it,” said Leah Margulies of Naperville, who put her own cooler outside after seeing Jozwiak's post. “It's such a crazy time of the year. It's a small thank-you, but I hope it helped in some small way.”
FedEx spokeswoman Rae Lyn Rushing said drivers are allowed to accept nominal gifts worth up to $75, so a free sports drink or bag of chocolates could certainly qualify.
“Indeed, it is a nice gesture during this busy time,” she said.
UPS drivers appreciate the intent of the coolers full of freebies, although spokesman Dan Cardillo said many carry their own drinks and therefore wouldn't need to snag one from a generous customer.
But Cardillo said the coolers of refreshments are joining other forms of thanks drivers receive from the people they serve, including baked treats, knitted goods and invitations to holiday parties.
Jozwiak and Margulies said they hope the thank-you cooler idea spreads as online shopping continues to increase.
“It's hopefully a small, small token of our appreciation,” Margulies said, “for all the running around they're doing for us and getting things delivered on time.”