Derlin Newey would probably love to slow down, retire, and enjoy his golden years, like anyone else his age. But unfortunately for him, he simply can’t afford to do that.
Instead, the 89-year-old spends 30 hours a week delivering Papa Johns pizzas so he can have some extra cash, because his social security checks aren’t enough to cover the cost of his monthly bills.
But as bitter as the situation might make anyone else, Newey doesn’t let it get him down. And it’s his enthusiasm for his job that has turned him into a viral sensation.
One of his customers, Carlos Valdez, enjoyed Newey’s deliveries so much that he actually began recording them and sharing the videos online.
The posts on TikTok have definitely caught people’s attention, largely because of how kind Newey is, always beginning each delivery with a sunny, “Hello, are you looking for some pizza?”
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Some of Valdez’s videos have received over hundreds of thousands of views on the app; a few even have more than a million.
“It’s insane,” Valdez told KSL-TV . “Everybody loves him.”
But as heartwarming as Newey’s deliveries are, some people can’t get over how tragic his situation actually is.
Valdez admitted his videos receive many comments from users who are frustrated that the 89-year-old has to deliver pizzas at his age just to make ends meet.
“Somebody at that age should not be working that much,” he affirmed.
Recently, Valdez and his wife came up with a fantastic idea of how they could show their appreciation for Newey while also offering him a little help.
On their TikTok page , the couple began asking their more than 60,000 followers to donate some money, anything they could, to go towards giving Newey a bigger-than-average tip in what they dubbed the “Venmo Challenge.” Expecting a few dollars, the couple was stunned with the response their plea receieved.
“Collectively as a TikTok community, we all came together, and we were able to raise $12,000 for this amazing person,” Valdez said.
This week, Valdez switched up their usual routine, showing up on Newey’s front door and ringing *his* bell, instead of the other way around.
Newey believed he was there to gift him a custom-made shirt with his signature saying, “Hello, are you looking for some pizza?” on it. And indeed, he got the shirt. But he definitely wasn’t expecting what happened next.
“We collectively collected a gift for you, and I’m here to deliver that gift to you on behalf of the TikTok community,” Valdez began.
Upon receiving a check for $12,069, a visibly touched Newey was moved to tears.
“How do I ever say thank you? I don’t know what to say,” the emotional 89-year-old said to Valdez, adding, “I don’t know what to say, except thank you.”
KSL-TV tagged along and recorded the surprise so we can all rightfully tear up at the sight of a deserving man receiving the surprise of a lifetime.
“This couldn’t have gone any better,” Valdez said. “He needed this. I’m just glad we could help him.”
He added, “We just need to treat people with kindness and respect the way he does. He stole our hearts.”
If you want to see more of Newey and his pizza deliveries, make sure to check out the Valdez’s TikTok page .
h/t: KSL-TV
