Widow Honors Husband’s Summer Ritual— And It’s Taking The Internet By Storm

Every day, Velvet Poveromo of Ridgefield Park, New Jersey, feels the absence of her husband, Charlie.

Charlie, who passed away suddenly at 57, had been married to Velvet for thirty-seven years. She tries to keep up with many of his traditions, but his absence makes her realize the extent of his efforts to make their lives better. From managing household chores to looking after their grandson, Charlie was dedicated to improving every aspect of their lives.

Maintaining Charlie’s traditions has been challenging for Velvet, yet she feels a deep sense of duty to honor him by keeping them alive. As the summer heat arrived, she remembered one of Charlie’s cherished habits that she felt compelled to continue.

Years ago, during a severe summer heatwave, Charlie noticed the garbage truck arriving with the workers looking exhausted and overheated. He quickly went to the kitchen, grabbed some plastic cups and a jug of water, and made sure the workers had as much as they needed.

Later that day, Charlie bought several cases of bottled water and ice, and the next morning, despite having only a few hours of sleep after working all night, he filled a cooler with the drinks and waited for the truck. He told the workers that the cooler would be stocked with refreshments all summer.

By the end of the summer, not only sanitation workers but also DPW staff, police officers, firefighters, and construction workers were regularly enjoying the cooler’s offerings.

After Charlie’s death, Velvet found it difficult to even get out of bed, but she managed to continue his tradition by restocking the cooler. She left a note explaining Charlie’s passing and his intention behind the cooler.

The following week, Velvet received a touching surprise from her local sanitation crew.

As she was refilling the cooler, she heard the garbage truck and saw the workers line up to salute her home. They each came up to her, expressed their condolences, and shared how much they appreciated Charlie’s thoughtfulness. They took a few bottles of water, got back on the truck, and gave a hearty beep as they left.

The story didn’t stop there. Neighbors, inspired by Velvet’s continuation of Charlie’s tradition, began contributing cases of water. The hashtag #CharliesCooler began trending on social media, and others started placing their own coolers outside.

Velvet hopes that Charlie’s tradition will grow into a nationwide movement of kindness. She expressed her gratitude on Facebook, acknowledging the beautiful ripple effect of his legacy.