Bus driver buys cold weather gear for student in need
Photo courtesy of Kennewick School District/Facebook
A Washington state bus driver is being praised after helping out a student in need.
Last week, Kennewick School District shared a picture on Facebook of John Lunceford, a United States Army veteran in his third year driving buses for Kennewick Schools.
According to the post, Lunceford said a little boy boarded his bus last Thursday in tears after waiting in freezing temperatures that morning. He noticed how red the child's hands and ears were, so he placed his own gloves on the boy and told him "it'll be okay."
Kennewick School District said after he dropped the students off at school, Lunceford drove to a dollar store and purchased ten stocking hats and ten sets of gloves, in black and pink. He then drove back to the school and asked an administrator to help him find the boy who'd been crying that morning.
The child was in the library with his classmates. Lunceford, a grandfather, handed him a hat and a pair of gloves.
"No one wants a kid to suffer like that," he said.
The bus driver told all of the students in the library if they are on his route and don't have hats or gloves, he would take care of them.
"There was a little girl who said 'I don't have a hat,' and I said 'I'll take care of you, sweetie,'" Lunceford told the school.
Kennewick School District stressed the importance of sending students to school in proper attire for cold weather.
"The onset of winter weather means families need to send their students off each day wearing heavy coats as well as hats and gloves or mittens. Our staff are always willing to help families find any items they need," the school said.
The Facebook post has more than 13,000 likes.