VALDOSTA, Ga. (WALB) – Most days, UPS drivers come to our aid by delivering packages we’re waiting for. But one local driver did what he could when he saw a woman in trouble on his route.
Raheem Cooper told WALB that he saw an unconscious woman in her driveway, so he stopped and called 911. He and another woman passing by helped her until the ambulance arrived.
“It feels so great,” Cooper said. “It’s unbelievable. I didn’t even expect to have to tell the story. The only person I’ve told is my mom, so I’m really surprised by all the attention it’s getting. I’m happy with what I’m doing, but I have to give all the glory to God because without Him I wouldn’t have been there, so I just thank God. What if that had been a family member, my kids, or myself when the sun is so hot? I just think that if you see someone who needs help, with God’s grace, you should just do the best you can.”
On Monday, August 12, Cooper was on his delivery route in the area when he jumped out of his truck to see if anyone was at her home. He then called 911 and began to help the woman.
“About five to six minutes later the ambulance arrived and I helped her get on the stretcher. The other young lady had to go get her children, but it was only by the grace of God that we were able to help her,” Cooper said.
He said he left his name and phone number with the family before continuing his planned ride. The next day, a Facebook post thanking him for his heroic efforts was shared thousands of times. His mother, who was buying a piece of furniture for him at Badcock Valdosta, heard employees talking about the post
“She told them it was her son, which was me, and they told me if I just got there they would give it to me for free. So I’m really blessed and just thank them for their blessing,” he said.
Angel Burkett, operations manager at Badcock, said Cooper was a long-time customer of her store, and after hearing from his mother and reading the many comments on Facebook, she and her team felt it was only right to honor him by gifting him the piece he wanted to complete his bedroom set.
“In a world where there is so much hate, I think it’s important to recognize people who stop and do everything they can to make the world a better place,” Burkett said.
Cooper said he has been in contact with the family of the woman he helped on Monday and she is in the process of recovery. He says this is proof that when you do good, good things come to you.
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