Garbage Man Hero

    MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD - A garbage truck drives slowly down the street, then pulls to a stop. Out steps the driver, a friendly-faced man in his late 50's. But wait. He is not just here to pick up garbage. He is giving something to a homeless man curled up under a blanket, trying to keep warm.
    This friendly sanitation truck driver is Arnold Harvey. And his is a well-known name among those down on their luck. To them, Arnold is heaven-sent. He provides them with food, clothes, blankets, even tents - whatever he can to help them. And more than that, he provides them with hope... and love. A simple smile, a hug, a few moments of his time. To these veterans of the street, this is no small thing.
    So how did all this come about? Well, it started nearly ten years ago, when Arnold was out on his route as usual. He stopped in one alley to pick up the trash and found a family hunkered down there for the night. Arnold began noticing how many people were homeless or struggling. He knew what it was like to go through hard times. One of 12 children, he had grown up in the worst part of Kansas City, MO. He joined the Army as a young man, later settling down, marrying, and raising five children.
    Arnold talked things over with his wife and they knew that they had to do something even if it was small. They started collecting coats and blankets, and handing out sandwiches. It grew from there. Today they run their own nonprofit called God's Connection Transition, and help feed over 5,000 families a month! They also supply clothes, shoes, and other necessities to those in need, and offer classes in skills and job training, which can help lead to better job opportunities.
    He might be a garbage man at first glance, but the truth...? He's a hero with a different sort of truck.

---