Nationwide — Raheem Cooper, an African American UPS driver from Valdosta, Georgia is being celebrated for his quick and selfless actions that saved an elderly woman in distress. He was on his regular delivery route when he noticed something unusual—a woman lying unconscious in her driveway. Without hesitation, he immediately pulled over, checked for assistance nearby, and called 911 before providing first aid to the woman, according to WALB reports.
According to WLBT, as Cooper tended to the woman, another passerby stopped to assist him, and together they supported her until the ambulance arrived. “Within about five to six minutes, the paramedics were there,” he recounted. “I stayed with her, helping her onto the stretcher. It felt like a blessing from God that we were there at that moment to help.”
Before continuing his deliveries, Cooper left his contact information with the woman’s family, who were deeply grateful for his intervention. The next day, a Facebook post from a relative sharing Cooper’s heroic deed went viral, garnering thousands of shares. The post described the severity of the woman’s condition, revealing that she had suffered a medical emergency, causing her to collapse in her driveway, spilling her groceries in the sweltering 102-degree heat. It was unclear how long she had been there before Cooper’s timely arrival.
The post also emphasized the critical role Cooper played, stating, “She surely would not have made it if he didn’t help her. He even picked up her groceries afterward. We need more people like Raheem in this world!” Reflecting on the experience, Cooper expressed his gratitude, saying, “It feels so great. I’m proud of what I did, but I have to give all the glory to God because, without Him, I wouldn’t have been there. What if that was my family member? In the scorching sun, it’s important to help others when you can.”
The story took a heartwarming turn when Cooper’s mother, while shopping for furniture at Badcock Valdosta, overheard store employees discussing the rescue. When she revealed that the hero was her son, the store staff decided to honor Cooper by gifting him the piece of furniture he had been eyeing. “I’m truly blessed,” Cooper said, expressing his gratitude. “I thank them for blessing me in return.”
Angel Burkett, the operations officer at Badcock, explained that Cooper had been a valued customer for years. After hearing his story and seeing the positive response on Facebook, the store team felt compelled to recognize his good deed. “In a world where there’s so much negativity, it’s important to acknowledge those who go out of their way to make the world a better place,” Burkett remarked. Cooper’s act of kindness serves as a powerful reminder that when you do good, good often comes back to you. He remains in contact with the woman’s family, who shared that she is currently on the road to recovery.
Source: BlackNews.com
