2 minute read
Paying Kindness Forward
DONALD COLBY PRIDGEN, ’20, is a North Carolina Master Trooper who recently earned national attention after helping a family who was stranded on an interstate with a blown tire.
Monica Hines and her family were heading to Duke Neurology when they blew a tire. There was nowhere safe to walk, and AAA directed them to wait on the side of interstate until assistance could arrive. The family had been stranded for several hours before Pridgen discovered them along the interstate. He immediately saw the family’s need and personally bought and replaced the damaged tire. Pridgen continued the kindness and surprised the family with three brand new tires to match the replaced one. He then bought the family lunch at a nearby restaurant along with a full tank of gas.
Earlier that day, Pridgen had been the recipient of an act of kindness. When he recognized the need this family was in, he knew it was important to pass that kindness on.
“I just felt like it was meant to be when I ran into this family,” he said.
Hines posted the story on Facebook, calling Pridgen an “angel” and thanking him profusely for his generosity. Local news stations picked up the story, and it started to circulate. Soon, Pridgen was flooded with messages from people attempting to reimburse him for the tires and food. Pridgen refused any donations and urged people to pay it forward. A Facebook page was set up to reimburse Pridgen for his personal funds. Instead of accepting the money, Pridgen donated the funds to a charitable cause, the Trooper Kevin Conner Memorial Run.
The memorial run is a charitable cause in honor of fallen trooper Kevin Conner, Pridgen’s close friend and colleague. Just as Pridgen’s act of kindness has created a ripple effect, he said Conner’s service and kindness has continued to make a positive impact on this world, even though he’s gone.
“Sometimes people just need a breath of fresh air,” said Pridgen. “I believe in paying kindness forward.”
While working full-time and raising a family, Pridgen graduated with a bachelor’s in criminal justice with a focus in law enforcement management. He is currently transitioning into Cumberlands’ master’s program, with hopes that his degrees will help him advance in his career.
