Todd Kirnan, 45, has battled against all odds to become a successful worker and a prominent citizen of Gresham, Oregon.
Kirnan has autism, but hasn’t allowed it to stop his passion for work. He works as a delivery guy and also does odd jobs for almost all business in downtown Gresham. He is a complete workaholic, as he works for 12 hours a day, seven days a week, doing the same work for almost 20 years.
“I like helping people, you know, making people happy, making people smile,” he said.
He gets paid in return for his work but for him it’s not really about the money. It’s more about the love and hugs he receives from the business owners which he treasures.
People in Gresham wanted Kirnan to be remembered for his extraordinary work and that he should have his own statue.
People described him as “one of the kindest, nicest people,” who was “always smiling.”
“Can’t imagine downtown Gresham without Todd,” one person said.
But unfortunately, apart from a parade in his honor, the community couldn’t do anything more to show him their appreciation, so they decided to throw him a parade in his honor.
Last week, huge crowds of people, lined the streets of Gresham to pay tribute to their delivery guy.
Todd loves old TV shows and so they borrowed a Batmobile to take him to the center of town where a big surprise was waiting for him: his very own statue.
The statue of Todd cost $54,000 which was paid with cash and in-kind donations.
“Thank you for everyone being here for me in Gresham and I love you guys,” Todd said.
Todd’s unconditional love and kindness towards people was the reason he got his own statue even though he wasn’t a freedom fighter or celebrity.
