A Random Act Of Kindness – A Boy, His Mom, & A Vacuum Cleaner

Quite often the word "hero" is overused in our society today. The dictionary defines a hero as a person is admired for his courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities. We usually think of a military person, a member of law enforcement, or a guy with a mask and a cape when we use the word hero. Chances are when you saw the word hero you didn't think of a vacuum cleaner salesman did you?

From Chesterfield County Virginia comes the story of Dylan Green. Dylan is a young man with autism. Dylan has a love of vacuum cleaners. So great is Dylan's appreciation of vacuum cleaners that Dylan's Mom made Dylan a cake that looked like a vacuum cleaner for his 14th birthday.  We could stop right there and you'd think, what an amazing Mother. But this story has more to it.

Dylan's Mom took things a step further and wrote a letter to the Kirby Vacuum Cleaner company to request an in home demonstration for Dylan's birthday party.  She was very candid in her note to the company that she could not afford to purchase a machine, she did not want to waste a salespersons time, and she knew the request was probably unlike any request the Kirby folks had ever received before. Here is what Jodie Green, Dylan's Mom wrote:

“I am reaching out to you in hopes for an answer to an unusual request for my son who is autistic. He has always been obsessed with vacuum cleaners. His favorite is the Kirby. He spends hours every day watching videos on his tablet about different Kirby’s. When he isn’t watching videos about them, he is talking about them. I really would LOVE to get a demo done for him for his birthday. In fact, I am even getting him a cake made that looks like a Kirby vacuum. I am writing to you in hopes that you can get me in touch with a way to get him this demo. I want to be clear that I do not intend on purchasing a Kirby. I was hoping that I could pay a flat fee or thought that maybe if you have salesmen in training that needs to get in practice demos for training purposes. I do not want anything free, but as the mother of a special needs child, it is so hard to find things to make my son happy. I know that having this demo done would just be so awesome, and it would warm my heart to see him so excited to experience that.”

The response of the company restored my faith in humanity.

Al Archie was dispatched from a nearby Kirby Sales Center to attend Dylan's party and deliver a life changing demonstration in the young man's home. When Mr. Archie arrived he had brought a soccer ball as a gift for Dylan on his birthday as well as everything he would need to demonstrate the Kirby cleaning system.

Mr. Archie, the salesman, was impressed by young Dylan's knowledge of the Kirby Product.

“He knew more about the Kirby than I did. I have never experienced anything like that.”

Al Archie has been selling vacuum cleaners for over 25 years so that is really saying something. Archie and Dylan put the Kirby through its paces and judging by the smile on the young mans face there was no way this birthday could get any better, then it did.

Mr. Archie and the Kirby Company gave Dylan the vacuum cleaner. I don't know if you've priced a Kirby system but they are not inexpensive. They are professional quality and built to last a lifetime and this company, this salesman, these good people, did the right thing by young Dylan if you ask me.

Sometimes corporations do put people ahead of profits and when that happens the world is always a better place. To the people at Kirby Vacuums, the next time I need floor care equipment I will remember your name. To Dylan's Mom, thank you for showing the rest of the world that a Mother's love is the most amazing gift a child can ever have. To Dylan Greene, I don't know you but I'd love to know what you know about vacuum cleaners. You sound like the kind of guy that would make a really good friend.

Speaking of friends, to all of you good people who took a moment to let this story make your day better, you too are somebody's hero. There are those that look up to you for who you are and what you do and they are watching you at every moment. Don't miss the chance to make a day special because you make everyday special for me by allowing us to share some time together on the radio.