"The Bro Bucket" pays it forward

The name itself says it all. A group of men took notice to several online groups gifting various items to strangers during the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic and decided to do something similar. Sean King, Larry Peeples and Jeff Snyder founded "The Bro Bucket" group via Facebook. And to say it has taken off would be one of the bigger understatements since the pandemic rocked the U.S. in mid-March. Figuring they'd reach a few people in their immediate area, the group has swelled to more than 4,000 members (4,012 as of Friday morning). There are people from more than 40 states in the U.S. as well as 15 different countries in the group. "A couple weeks ago we even shipped a box to Australia," King said. "Since 2020 has been a rough start and so many are feeling down and out, we wanted to spread joy and love to our communities as much as we could." The group started out delivering various boxes and buckets of items around the Norwalk area. Sometimes, the bucket is simply some snacks and candy. But others have become more expansive. It didn't take long for the goodwill to take off, from neighboring communities around Norwalk, such as Sandusky, then eventually to different states and countries. "I was sitting at home, really bored (during the shutdown) and kind of got this going," Snyder said. "The reason really is to uplift as many people as we could. That's what it's all about — helping people out." In a little more than a week, the group grew from 50 people to about 2,700. The rapid growth eventually has led to weekly drawings held by the three founders on a YouTube video. "We just wanted to get away from politics, religion — and just try to uplift everybody in hard times," Peeples said. "Just out of boredom we started it up and see how far we could get." The process to join is to request membership via the group's Facebook page. The group does have some rules, however. You must be 21 years of age to participate, and if you get "bro boxed" you are to in turn give one to another person to keep the chain going. Other rules to follow according to the page includes: — No begging. — Be respectful and kind. — No illegal products in bro boxes given out. — Harassment, racial comments, etc. will not be tolerated. — No spamming. — No politics or religion talk. — Do not self-promote unless you have the OK from the page administrators. Once approved, someone can offer to send a bucket out — then a person can comment the info on where to deliver it, and in turn pay it forward themselves. "We don't expect everyone to give one, but if someone needs something specific you can request it," King said. "One gentlemen had experienced a house fire and he received a bucket full of things that were needed to get back on his feet." Though some choose to give items such as beer, King noted the group keeps things pretty clean. "We try to keep it fun with safe, family items people can use," he said. "But again, it's not about collecting — it' about sharing with someone and staying positive." King said there are current plans in the works to also distribute and give out to charitable organizations, as well as military veterans and children's home groups as well. "We're looking into how to give to those groups in a safe way," he said. As for the growth, it was something King, Peeples and Snyder never envisioned. "It has been very intense and crazy, but awesome at the same time," King said. "It just grew with so many people wanting to give. The amount of growth and feedback has went well beyond our expectations in just a matter of days. "We just keep reaching for the sky with all of this darkness so many have had to deal with in 2020," he added. "We simply want to bring light and show people that humanity is still here." Added Snyder, "This was designed to unite guys locally, but it's not even nationally — it's globally. We can't thank everyone enough to keep that love going." Peeples said it's been "heartwarming" for him to see the group expand in short order. "To see the communities come together, and the people of all walks of life come together in a time of turmoil like it is, it's definitely heartwarming," he said. "With everything bad going on in 2020 so far, everyone in this group is sharing the light and showing people that across the country and the world, we're still united." For any questions, concerns, or other information, the group can be contacted through the page or via email at thebrobucket2020@gmail.com.