Macario Chism works for Waste Pro in Caruthersville, Missouri, driving a truck, picking up oversized waste. Early on January 20th, with temperatures in the teens, Chism stopped by a convenience store and learned that Thelma Bates, an 82-year-old woman with dementia, had gone missing in the middle of the night.
Just a few moments later, he saw the door of a nearby shed swinging in the wind and went to investigate. There he found Bates, who was freezing cold and didn’t have any shoes on. So Chism bundled up the elderly woman and carried her back to his truck where he wrapped her cold feet up and honked the truck’s horn to try and get someone’s attention.
Bates was taken to the hospital, was found to be in good health, and was later released. Her family is grateful to Chism and had a chance to meet their hero when he was recognized for his act of compassion. At a small ceremony at Caruthersville City Hall, Chism was thanked by Bates and her family and was awarded $408 for his selfless act from KAIT’s Gr8 Acts of Kindness recognition program.