Brighten Your Day

Local Garbage Men Brought To Tears By Neighborhood Surprise Party

June 29, 2020

Residents of North Bay road in Miami Beach gathered early Friday morning with signs and gifts as they waited for their local sanitation workers Saul Scruggs and Keon Richardson to arrive.

Local10.com

Scruggs and Richardson, who have never missed a day of work picking up trash in Miami Beach, thought they were just showing up to their regular collection route. But they weren't.

The neighbors held a celebration of gratitude fit for the essential workers during the coronavirus pandemic. Even Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber was there to celebrate Scruggs and Richardson.

"We're here to celebrate our two sanitation workers who just really make our day brighter every day when we see them," said resident Alan Weisberg.

Saul Scruggs and Keon Richardson / Local10.com

"They do so much more than pick up our trash. What is particularly special about these two men is the positive energy that they bring with them," Jennifer Elegant wrote in the event's invitation. "They always have smiles ... If you know them, you love them!"

Mayor Gelber honored Scruggs and Richardson with a special declaration of appreciation.

Local10.com

Scruggs had to fight back tears as he thanked everyone.

"Everything he taught me... I just wanna be like him," Richardson said about his colleague.

Watch the local news coverage below.