ASHLAND — It’s typically Kirk Furlong who delivers packages to the businesses along Ashland’s Main Street — not the other way around.
But when local business owners learned their UPS delivery man was recovering from an injury, they surprised him with a gift basket.
Late last week, Ashland Main Street’s Sandra Tunnell delivered the “monster bag of goodies,” packed full of items from the downtown shops that he frequently visits — Fig & Oak, Uniontown Brewing Company and others.
“This means everything to me. My route is wonderful. They are extended family to me,” Furlong said.
He was taking some time off after he had slipped on a patch of ice, fell and hit his head. He is recovering from a concussion.
“Do you miss Kirk, The Best UPS Driver Ever, as much as we do?” Tunnell said in a post to Ashland Main Street’s Facebook page. “When we sent out an e-mail asking if our downtown peeps wanted to donate a gift to him, we were overwhelmed at the support (although not surprised — he is awesome).”
She thanked another UPS delivery man, Gabe, for filling in while wishing Furlong a speedy recovery.
“Also, PSA — shovel and salt your driveways and walkways, people. Please,” she said in the post.
Tunnell learned about Furlong’s accident after a conversation with Julie Mitchell, owner of Fig & Oak. Tunnell had initially thought Furlong was on vacation, but began to worry when he was out for consecutive weeks.
When Mitchell informed her about Furlong’s concussion, Tunnell took action. She emailed business owners and asked them to give items for a get-well package.
Mitchell was one of the first to add to the gift basket. She gave Furlong snacks, a card and a variety of other small items from her gift shop.
“We’ve really missed him. He’s like sunshine walking through the door every day. He puts a smile on everyone’s face,” Mitchell said.
Furlong often delivers packages to her Ashland home, too, so she’ll see him at home and at work. He knows who she is and often asks about her business.
“He takes the time to know each customer. He goes out of his way to pay attention to the little things,” Mitchell said.
Down the road, Josh and Kelsey Coffy of Coffy Space also anticipate Furlong’s visits. Sometimes he stops by the co-working space even when he doesn’t have packages to deliver.
Furlong would ask about their business and offer dog treats to the Coffy’s office dog, Maxwell.
“He’s the best. He always goes way above and beyond,” Kelsey Coffy said.
She and her husband once dressed Maxwell as a UPS delivery man for Halloween. Furlong stopped by to pose for a picture with his biggest fan.
“Maxwell would always know when he was coming,” Kelsey Coffy said.
Furlong thanked the downtown businesses for the surprise delivery, saying he was overwhelmed by their kindness.
“I’m really not looking for any recognition. It’s my customers who are wonderful. They take care of me,” Furlong said.
His refrigerator is often decorated with drawings from children along his route, and his customers — on Main Street and elsewhere — frequently leave him snacks.
“Everybody on this route, they really are extended family for me,” Furlong said.
