MCTS driver recognized for good deeds by singer Kelly Clarkson

GREEN BAY, WI (CBS 58) --  Singer Kelly Clarkson recognized Milwaukee County Transit System Driver Natalie Barnes Friday night at her concert in Green Bay.   Clarkson invited Barnes to be a special guest at the show.   Barnes event appeared on stage  with Clarkson during a special portion of the show called “A Minute and a Glass of Wine.”

Clarkson asked Barnes to be a special guest at the show after Barnes’  November 2018 when a MCTS Excellence video went viral.  The video shows Barnes helping  a homeless man, bringing him  food, letting  him stay warm on her bus, offering to go shopping for him, and ultimately connecting  him with a safe place to live.

Clarkson played a clip of Barnes’ MCTS Excellence video, gave an overview of the story, and then had a Q&A discussion with Barnes in front of a captivated audience.

"You have no idea how something so simple can completely alter someone's life and path and change it for the good," Clarkson told Barnes. "And it's just a really beautiful thing."

“I’m just grateful that my story is inspiring people around the world and bringing attention to the important effort of reducing homelessness,” Barnes said after the concert. “There are so many easy things people can do to help the less fortunate in their community.” In Milwaukee, Barnes works with Community Advocates to help  individuals and families who need housing or supportive services.

Barnes has also been the guest of Ellen DeGeneres, appearing on her website and social media accounts and has been recognized by Time Magazine as an ‘Everyday Hero of 2018’ in its annual ‘Person of the Year’ edition.

“We’re incredibly proud to have amazing drivers like Natalie on our team,” said Matt Sliker, MCTS’ Integrated Marketing Manager. “They go above and beyond every single day, helping the community and demonstrating what MCTS Excellence is all about.”