A Texas school bus driver is being praised for going above and beyond for his elementary-age passengers forced to stand in waist-high grass and itchy weeds as they awaited their ride to school.
Jerry Martin Jr, who’s driven for the Copperas Cove Independent School District for more than a decade, noticed the unkempt lawn which serves as a local bus stop, in front of a vacant home in the central Texas town. Rather than wait for someone to tackle the high grass, Martin chose to fix the matter himself.
School bus driver Jerry Martin Jr. said he mowed the area because he didn’t want his young passengers getting bitten by field mites known as “chiggers.” (Photo: Copperas Cove ISD / Facebook)
After finishing his route last Wednesday, the veteran driver headed home and returned with his mower loaded in the back of his truck.
“I mowed that lawn because my kids have to stand there,” Martin told local station KWTX, saying he was worried the children might get bitten by infant field mites known as “chiggers,” which can cause itchy, red rashes.
“It wasn’t just grass,” he told the outlet. “The weeds had popped up all over the place and they had like sticker things on there and I didn’t want the kids worried about getting bitten by a chigger.”
Martin said he’s mowed the area on several occasions to ensure his young passengers have a safe place to stand.
“But this time, someone took a picture,” he said.
Copperas ISD lauded Martin for his dedication on its Facebook page, where they also shared a photo of him mowing the the grassy bus stop. The picture was seen by hundreds of current and former students and their parents, all of whom had nothing but kind things to say about the beloved bus driver.
https://www.facebook.com/CopperasCoveISD/posts/10156134833980938:0
“He was my bus driver way back when. He truly is an amazing person,” one person wrote. “Thank you Mr. Martin!”
“Mr Martin is a wonderful man we appreciate everything he does,” another user chimed in. “We couldn’t ask for a better bus driver to take care of our children. He is a true blessing.”
One of Martin’s former passengers recalled how he would always bring fresh fruit to take home, adding: “[He] was my favorite bus driver ever. I am so happy he’s still shedding some positive lights on students today!”
“Not too surprised to see he’s doing amazing things! He is an awesome person! Who remembers when he used to DJ at the school when we were kids?!,” another recalled.
Martin has driven hundreds of children throughout his tenured career, including some who went on to achieve great success.
“I used to drive a junior high student to his football games named Robert Griffin,” he told the station with a chuckle.
Griffin was Baylor University’s only Heisman Trophy winner and is now a quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens.
Copperas Cove ISD didn’t return requests for comment.
Watch more in the video below.
