The actual air temperature when I woke up yesterday was -14F. It was the kind of morning when the air hurts your face, a phenomenon we northern states dwellers are well acquainted with. 

Not half an hour later, I heard the rumble of a delivery truck outside. As I peeked out the window, I watched the driver jog up the driveway to place a package at our front door. 

In the double digits below zero wind chill. Before 8 a.m. With an air of joy?!

If it hadn’t been so early and cold, I would have opened the door to thank him. 

Turns out Amazon is helping make that a little easier this holiday season too. 

The online shopping giant announced this week that if you say, “Alexa, thank my driver,” to one of its devices, it will pass along your gratitude to the worker who delivered your last package. Even cooler, the drivers who get the first one million shout-outs will get $5 per thank you. 

Check out the details in the promo video below: 

Amazon describes the program like this: “The simple way Amazon customers can show delivery drivers appreciation this holiday season. Customers can say “Alexa, thank my driver,” and the driver of their most recent delivery will be notified of their gratitude. Drivers who receive the first 1M thank-you’s will also receive $5 per thank you!”

Plus, the five drivers who earn the most thanks from customers during the promotion will get $10,000—and an additional $10,000 donated to their charity of choice.

How cool is that?!

As December shopping reaches its annual fever pitch, delivery drivers (and all service industry workers) are the unsung heroes of the holiday season. They deserve our appreciation for helping make Christmas magic happen, and this is such a fun and easy way to share it. 

Well done, Amazon!