When UPS driver Cary Lambert spotted a suitcase sitting along his usual route on Interstate 80 between Cheyenne and a few miles past Buford, he decided to do something about it.
With the reach of social media, nothing seems to be hopelessly lost anymore.
Lambert’s small act of kindness made a big difference for a Colorado kid.
Lambert was driving eastbound toward the Buford — population 1 — on July 25 when he spotted a suitcase lying off to the edge of I-80. It’s not the first time he’s seen lost luggage on the highway, but this was different.
“I've seen boxes and suitcases hit on the interstate before, with clothes scattered everywhere and people picking it up,” he told Cowboy State Daily. “But when I saw this one, it was on the far-right side of the right lane, and no one had hit it. And then I intended to get it back to whoever owned it, so I picked it up.”
Lambert pulled over, picked up the suitcase and continued on his way. He was determined to make this unscheduled delivery to its owner, wherever they were.
Childish Contents
Once Lambert had a moment to examine the suitcase, the only way to get a lead to its owner was to open it up.
“I felt uncomfortable going through somebody's belongings,” he said. “But at the same time, I knew they wouldn't mind if I found an address or a phone number, so I opened it up.”
The contents immediately made one thing clear — the suitcase belonged to a child. The items Lambert found inside included a small pair of BMX protective overalls, a crocheted blanket and a plush dolphin.
Lambert checked every nook and cranny of the suitcase but couldn’t find an address or phone number anywhere in or on it. His only clue was a shirt from North Routt Community Charter School, a K-8 public charter school in Clark, Colorado. Clark is a tiny area north of Steamboat Springs.
“That caught my attention, so I Googled it,” he said. “It popped up, but then I read their last post from around May 30, wishing everyone a good summer vacation. So, I figured nobody’s looking at their Facebook page during the summer.”
Lambert decided to keep the suitcase in his garage until the school year started. One way or another, it was getting back to its owner.
School Reunion
When the 2024-2025 school year started, Lambert posted about the wayward suitcase on Facebook on Sept. 12.
He tagged North Routt Community Charter School, explaining the circumstances of his discovery and desire to return the suitcase to its owner.
“Asking all the parents, students and faculty at that school to ask around and share this post,” he wrote. “So, can I ask you? What can Brown do for you? Hopefully to make a little kid’s day!”
Lambert soon connected with Carlie Pedrini, the school’s business manager, and they arranged to exchange the suitcase during Lambert’s next visit.
“My partner and I love to go to the Yampa River for fly fishing,” Lambert said. “I told Carlie we were coming over Cameron Pass one weekend to enjoy ourselves at Steamboat, and maybe we could meet somewhere. So we met up, and I handed the suitcase off to her.”
It wasn’t long before Lambert got a text from Nicole Reynolds, who sent a picture of her son happily reunited with his suitcase.
“I gave the suitcase to Carlie on Saturday, and then next thing you know, Nicole sent me a photo on Monday,” he said. “He was probably 3 and a half feet tall and grinning ear-to-ear.”
Reynolds told Lambert that her family was returning to Colorado after a road trip to New York City. They were taking I-80 through Laramie when the suitcase was lost.
“They were visiting family out there and didn't strap it down good that night from wherever they stayed,” he said. “They must’ve hit a bump on I-80, the suitcase fell off and I came across it.”
Sentimental Suitcase
Lambert was already “filled with warmth and gratitude” that the wayward suitcase was back where it belonged when he got another text of appreciation from Sherri LaBarron, the boy’s grandmother.
“Thank you for finding that suitcase and being a good human,” she said. The crocheted blanket inside “was a gift I made for his little brother. My daughter-in-law was so upset about losing it on the travel home from NY. He is certainly a sweetheart, and your act of kindness touched many hearts!”
Attempts to contact the boy’s family weren’t successful by the time this story was published.
As Lambert suspected, the suitcase was filled with gifts and sentimental items the boy probably thought he’d lost forever. Thanks to Lambert’s unexpected pickup and social media search, it was a happy ending for everyone.
As he reflects on his act of kindness, Lambert got philosophical. His quick decision to pick up the suitcase has left an impression on him and many others.
“I knew the suitcase was lost, but it was wandering,” he said. “That little wandering suitcase reminded me of our lives and going through our journey, and sometimes we needed help along the way. Getting that suitcase to the little boy reminded me that we all need a little help getting to our destinations, and I couldn't be happier that he has the stuff.”
Andrew Rossi can be reached at arossi@cowboystatedaily.com.
