For the past four years, Eugene Williams has been delivering smiles along with packages as a driver for FedEx - and he's made an impression on customers along his route throughout Mount Joy and Manheim.

"He is such a happy, engaging person," said Kathy Anderson, who regularly receives deliveries from Williams. "Eugene treats everyone special and makes us all feel like we're his favorite customer."

One day earlier this year, however, Kathy and her husband, Dan, noticed something about Williams. "He didn't seem like his usual bubbly self, so we asked him if he was OK," Kathy recalled. "He briefly shared about his situation. He didn't share a lot of details and wasn't complaining, but he was clearly feeling burdened. We knew right away that we wanted to help."

In early June, the Andersons and several of their neighbors, including Kimberly Rudis, surprised Williams with a gift of money; gift cards; a basket of snacks, drinks and treats; and homemade cards created by neighborhood kids.

Williams, who lives in Elizabethtown, said he was completely surprised by the gifts. He explained that he was going through a particularly hard time.

"I'm a single dad with three kids - two girls and one boy," he said of his children. who are ages 14 years, 9 years and 21 months. He's also the stepfather of two children, ages 17 and 21. "After I got divorced, it really affected my financial situation. I try to hide my problems, but my friend Kathy is so observant, she noticed something was bothering me through my smile."

Williams proudly displays the handmade cards in his delivery truck and said keeping a positive attitude has always been important to him. "I grew up really rough," he remarked. "As a kid, I dealt with a lot of racism. In my teenage years, I dealt with a lot of gang stuff, and in my early adult years, I dealt with a lot of drug things. I overcame all of that, so that's why I try to stay positive because I know I can beat anything if I put my mind to it."

He said he can't imagine doing anything other than the job he loves and the route he cherishes. "The people on my route are great," he stated. "They are so generous, and I'm really grateful."

Williams is also generous. When he learned that someone along his route is in search of a kidney, he volunteered to donate his. The Andersons helped him submit his paperwork, but it turned out he wasn't a match.

"Eugene is our friend, and our heart was to just help our friend," Kathy said of the collection to support Williams. "Life is so busy, and we all have our struggles. But God loves when we get out of our own little worlds and become more aware of the needs of those around us and live to be part of the solution when we can."

Williams said he hopes others will take inspiration from his story and from his outlook on life. "Try to look on the bright side, no matter what you're going through," he shared. "No matter what situation you're in, look at it with happiness and love."