Kelly Gold believes any act of kindness, no matter how small, can go a long way.
That's what gave her the idea for Operation Smile.
It was her campaign to recognize Nazareth crossing guard Robert Frings for spreading cheer to everyone who passes his corner near the Memorial Library of Nazareth and Vicinity.
"I see this guy all the time. He's always waiving at everyone and smiling at every car that goes past," Gold said, "I thought, 'Maybe we can do something small for him.'"
She posted her thoughts on her Facebook page and a Nazareth area Facebook page. She was shocked by the response. The message was spread by the Nazareth Area School District to parents. The borough police department and Lower Nazareth fire department, where Frings volunteers, also participated.
"It turned into this huge thing," Gold said.
Gold partnered with Amy Danise and Jennifer Kandl to pull off the event Friday recognizing Frings. About 40 people brought him balloons and signs showing their appreciation. Someone carried the "smile" theme to the next level by dressing as a giant tooth.
Frings had no idea what faced him when he took his post Friday. Asked how he felt, he said, "Overwhelmed. I'm shaking."
When he took the job three years ago, the Upper Nazareth Township resident had every reason to feel sorry for himself. He had been downsized from his 22-year job with an insurance company. He became a crossing guard to get out of the house.
Little did he know the friends he'd make along the way. Even people who don't know him by name know him as the smiling man.
"I honestly love coming to this intersection when he's there," said Bushkill Township resident Laura Dunne. "He makes my day."
More than once Gold was in a bad mood as she drove past Frings and his behavior changed her outlook.
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Frings said he's gotten to know the names of the children he crosses and has become their friends.
"There was one family with twins that I was actually invited to their house for dinner one night," he said. Another time an elderly couple pulled over so a woman could give him a gift.
"A woman got out of the car and told me I was an angel and she gave me a medallion with an angel on it," Frings said.
Gold and other parents raised $500 for Frings. They made a novelty-size check for him, accompanied with a Visa gift card.
"It's so awesome," Gold said. "I'm glad everybody was able to come together to make it special for him."
Rudy Miller may be reached at rmiller@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @RudyMillerLV. Find Easton area news on Facebook.
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