TLC drivers’ feel-good Christmas stories

It’s a busy time of year for TLC drivers. As another year draws to a close, we wanted to shine a spotlight on the Christmas TLC drivers spreading a bit of holiday cheer, whether through acts of kindness or those just wanting to put a smile on people’s faces.

First up, what better way to feel the festive holiday vibes than with a classic Christmas sing-along? That was the thinking of ‘Do Good Jonathan’, who spent the weeks leading up to Christmas performing Mariah Carey’s ‘All I Want For Christmas’ with every rider that got into his car.

The LA driver recorded every performance, before putting them on his YouTube channel. Passengers were given Christmas props, from reindeer and Santa hats to maracas.

You wouldn’t probably get away with this in the era of Covid, but it definitely works for getting into the Christmas spirit.

[vc_video link=’https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnDy3dSEHhw’]

The internet is full of stories where Uber riders were pleasantly surprised by their drivers. This happens year-round, but particularly during the holiday season.

These can be small, sweet gestures, like the driver who sends his riders Christmas cards, or the one with in-car festive decorations.

Another driver found an especially creative way to keep a lost purse safe. After a passenger left her purse in an Uber on New Year’s Eve, it was returned the next day with some pretty interesting pictures on her phone as a result:

Christmas TLC Drivers. Creative Purse Pictures

Santa chooses rideshare

In San Jose, Uber driver John Flores threw on a Santa suit for no reason other than to extend a bit of human kindness to strangers.

He took to the streets in the run-up to Christmas 2019, getting reactions from riders, other drivers, and passers-by surprised to see Santa behind the wheel.

He told ABC7 News: “If I can bring joy and happiness to a complete stranger, I’m going to do it every time.”

During one ride, his passengers picked up his megaphone, rolled down their windows, and sang Christmas songs to other cars.

After posting on his local community Facebook group, John even got a special request to make a house call on Christmas Eve. It was a five-minute trip for him, but the kids he went to see got so excited – especially hearing Santa bellowing ‘Ho ho ho’ outside their front door.

WATCH THE VIDEO HERE

Driving Uber for Christmas

Of the many inspiring Christmas TLC driver stories to come out of the pandemic, Renee Dixon is up there.

Renee is a preschool director in Indianapolis, and last Christmas she took on a second job as a driver for Uber and Lyft.

But rather than pocket the extra earnings, the income she got went on holiday gifts and winter gear for the 50 students at Lynhurst Baptist Church Preschool, where she works.

Starting in November, Renee drove into the early hours of Friday night, and Saturday and Sunday every weekend ahead of Christmas.

She told the Washington Post: “So many of our families don’t have money to get Christmas presents this year. Some parents have lost their jobs, others have had their wages cut back.” Coronavirus made the need to help even greater.

When Renee earned enough to buy each student two gifts, she kept driving – so that their brothers and sisters didn’t feel left out.

She pledged to keep on driving after Christmas until all the children who needed winter gear had it.

Renee added: “Everything I’m doing is for these kids right now. Their world has turned upside down, and it’s no fault of their own. They deserve this from me.”

From all of us at INSHUR, we wish you a very merry Christmas (if you’re celebrating), and here’s to a healthy, happy 2022.