Be Kind: 2 Gas Attendants Turn Work Into a Calling | Inspiring Story
The Simplicity of Being Kind
Sometimes, the most powerful movements begin in the most unexpected places. For Tony and Rob, two gas station attendants in New Jersey, it all started with a simple card and a very bad day.
In our latest Jersey Buzz Podcast episode, I had the joy of interviewing these two incredible humans who are turning everyday gas station interactions into moments of connection, healing, and purpose.
Their mission? To remind people that kindness isn’t complicated—it’s contagious.
A BAD DAY, A SIMPLE CARD, A LIFE SHIFT
Tony shared the pivotal moment that sparked the Be Kind movement. After a rough day, a customer handed him a card filled with inspirational quotes. One stood out in tiny print: "Kindness Matters." That moment stuck. It didn't just lift Tony’s spirits—it rewired something deeper.
When his boss told him he couldn’t decorate his desk with quotes, Tony didn’t get discouraged. He got creative. He went outside, talked to Rob, and together they decided to wear their message instead. A vest with the words Be Kind became their uniform—and their mission.
FROM EVERYDAY TO EXTRAORDINARY
Every day, Tony and Rob show up with the goal of making someone’s day better. Whether it’s by offering a smile, handing someone a quote card, or cracking a joke to break a moment of grief, they’ve transformed their gas station into a space of emotional refuge.
Tony told the story of two elderly women who stopped in after their sister’s funeral. Sensing their sadness, he made up a playful story about them being the most stylish gas station bandits in town. The laughter that followed lifted their spirits in a way they hadn’t expected. That’s the magic they create—genuine connection that sticks long after the gas tank is full.
ROB’S STORY: A FULL-CIRCLE SIGN
Rob shared a beautiful moment with a woman who had tears in her eyes. When he gently asked if she was okay, she opened up: her father had passed, and she was back in New Jersey to bury him. Her father used to work at a gas station too. That brief interaction became a moment of healing—for her and for Rob, who believes in signs and soul connections. And he’s not wrong. That moment was bigger than a fill-up—it was human.
BE KIND: BEFORE EVERYTHING, KINDNESS IS NEEDED DAILY
Tony, ever the wordsmith, created an acronym for Be Kind:
Before
Everything
Kindness
Is
Needed
Daily
And he lives by it. Rob does too. Whether it’s chatting with kids in the back seat, thanking teachers, or sensing when someone needs a little more care, they operate on one simple principle: kindness first, always.
IT'S NOT JUST A JOB. IT’S A CALLING.
Tony and Rob don’t want to be seen as just gas attendants. They want to be known as community connectors, local legends, and day-brighteners. They’re on a mission to remind us that you don’t need a stage or a big budget to make a difference. Sometimes, it’s a smile, a joke, a moment of presence.
They’ve inspired co-workers, customers, and now, hopefully—you.
“It’s not a magic trick. It’s logic.”
– Tony
JOIN THE MOVEMENT: #BEKINDNJ
We’re working on something special. Stay tuned as we roll out a #BeKindNJ movement across New Jersey. Whether you’re a gas attendant, barista, teacher, server, or just someone who interacts with people every day—join us. You don’t need permission to be kind. You just need to start.
APRIL’S FINAL THOUGHTS
In a world that often feels divided and heavy, Tony and Rob are proof that small, consistent kindness can be revolutionary. They didn’t set out to be heroes—but they are. Because they show up, day after day, with open hearts, ready to serve more than gas.
So next time you're at the pump, take a breath. Smile at the person helping you. Ask how they’re doing. You might just meet someone who changes your day—or better yet, your outlook.