'He Would Give Anybody The Shirt Off Of His Back': Tewksbury Hero

TEWKSBURY, MA — In the time of the coronavirus outbreak, it can be heroic to just keep going to work, putting yourself on the line to allow others to stay home and stay safe. We all know someone who's making a difference right now as we live through unprecedented times. Here at Patch, we've launched an initiative to help recognize these everyday heroes.

This submission comes from Keith Walden of Tewksbury, Mass., who nominated his son Jayson:

Where the nominee lives:
Tewksbury, Mass.

Where the person who nominated the hero lives:
Tewksbury

Name of the nominee:
Jayson Walden

Name of the person who nominated the hero:
Keith E. Walden

Is the nominee considered an “essential worker”?
Yes

What does the nominee do for work?
Overnight manager and stocker in the grocery department at Market Basket.

Why do you believe the nominee should be recognized or honored?
Since day one of this mess that we are in the middle of, Jayson has changed his whole routine. He'll head to work on Monday, leaving between 7 and 8 p.m.. He'll work until 7 a.m., come home to eat and then sleep, only to go back again at 7 or 8. Some nights he'll go back at 5 p.m. and work until 7 a.m.

He has been working anywhere between 55 and 75 hours per week during this very stressful time and he is the nicest and most polite person I know.

He is always there with a smile to help out management at the Market Basket at Oakdale Plaza. He has never turned them down for anything they've ever asked him to do and will even volunteer to go in on his days off to help if needed. All of the workers in grocery stores are heroes but I think he's extraordinary and not just because he is my son.

What’s one thing you want everyone to know about your hero?:
He would give anybody the shirt off of his back.

Thank you for all you do, Jayson!

>> Do YOU have a local hero you would like us to know about? Share their story here.