Once in a while, people perform good deeds that restore your faith in humanity, like this family who raised funds to help their pizza delivery driver. The woman, Barbara Gillespie, fell while delivering food to them on Feb. 3 and they caught it on a surveillance camera.
The footage of Gillespie’s fall was uploaded to TikTok in a video which has now garnered over 16 million views. Immediately after she fell, a family member rushed to her aide. Once they received their meal, the family ensured Gillespie was well and set up a fundraiser for her healthcare.
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Keep reading to find out more.
Gillespie’s Story
Gillespie shared her story in a video saying she tripped on the stairs and fell forward while delivering pizza to the family. Luckily for her, the family she was servicing had an EMT and Firefighter Paramedic inside, so they rushed to her rescue.
Although the couple saw Gillespie off to her vehicle, she was worried about ruining their meal. Homeowners Lacey and Kevin Keighron were sympathetic towards the senior delivery woman, after having recently lost their own parents, so they shared the video online and established a GoFundMe, hoping to raise funds for her early retirement.
Surprising Gillespie At Work
The couple’s GoFundMe campaign exceeded their $200,000 goal by $30,000 and they visited Gillespie at work with their children to present her gift. They told her about losing their parents and wanting to help, hence, the video upload.
The Keighrons didn’t think they’ll raise as much money as they did but were grateful for the response. Gillespie also described the experience as surreal, saying she thought it was a dream when Lacey and Kevin visited her workplace with their daughters holding a bouquet of flowers.
Their kind gesture restored Gillespie’s faith in humanity because it reminded her that there are still caring people worldwide.
An Unexpected Turn Of Events
Kevin told Good Morning America that the GoFundMe fundraiser was supposed to be an extra tip for Gillespie but was shocked at the response within a day. Dominos rewarded Gillespie with the Team Member of the Year 2022 award, saying she’s a customer favorite.
A spokesperson for the company added,
Gillespie’s story is one of many TikTok fundraisers going viral as people help seniors pay off their debts and reach retirement. It opens a new discourse into senior citizens working beyond the retirement age.
Why Do Americans Past Their Retirement Age Still Work?
According to AARP , many Americans past the retirement age of 65 still work because of the money they make. Although it’s not ideal, they still have to work to cover their living costs. According to a recent AARP Foundation study, a weak economy is the main reason why nearly one-third of older workers fear losing their jobs within a year.
The same study also discovered that 41% of older workers reported experiencing some form of ageism at work in the previous three years, with 64% of older workers reporting age discrimination in the workplace today.
Last Updated on February 24, 2023 by Chisom Ndianefo
