Carmen Kelly: Walmart greeter, 82, gets $127K donation to pay medical bills after customer's video goes viral
APACHE JUNCTION, ARIZONA: A miracle encounter changed the life of an 82-year-old Walmart employee when a TikToker shared the story of her life on social media. The clip soon went viral and this was just the beginning of an unexpected gift that continues to give.
Carman Kelly has worked in an Arizona Walmart for a little over two years, smiling and greeting customers as they entered the store. Since her workplace has a policy of no sitting during work hours, Kelly uses a cane and leans against a cart to provide some relief during her shift. When asked about Kelly’s situation, Walmart told KPHO that "we honor reasonable accommodations and have a long history of working with associates with disabilities." Despite her old age, Kelly said she absolutely loves her job and there’s no place she would rather be. "The customers, they hug me," Kelly said. "And they make me feel like I’m so special to them."
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Kelly thought she could retire by 2004 but had to get a job as some hospital bills started to pile up. She was sent to the emergency room due to a series of health issues which quickly ate up all her savings. The predicament compelled her to begin work again. The 82-year-old said she is yet to pay at least $3,000 each to two different hospitals.
In mid-December, a customer filmed Kelly on TikTok to try to help the Walmart employee financially. While Kelly thought it was a sham, customer Liz Rizzo was certain about her plans. "When I saw her when I walked in the door, my heart just cracked open. The seniors in our world need to be taken care of because they took care of us,” she said. After hearing Kelly’s story, Rizzo realized that she had to do something. "I started filming. I wasn’t even thinking," Rizzo said, as per NBC15. "I just felt moved." Rizzo told her followers about the Walmart employee and directed them to a GoFundMe with the goal of wiping out Kelly’s debt.
By December 20, more than $127,000 was donated while the goal was only $10,000. It left Kelly speechless, and she told Rizzo: "I just feel like God sent you to me. I feel God is working through you." "The amount she said was ten thousand," Rizzo said, as per the outlet. "And I said, 'Perfect, I think we can do that." It only took a day to meet the goal and by the end of the fourth day over $105,000 had been raised. "Are you serious?" Kelly said, shocked at the raised amount. "I can’t believe this. I’m like a millionaire!"
Kelly calls this the “golden years” of her life and admits that she would never be able to repay Rizzo for her kindness. However, the TikToker has assured her that repayment was not needed. Kelly’s medical debt is soon to be a matter of the past and she no longer has to live alone. "Thank you to the people that have done this for me," Kelly said. "I mean, it couldn’t have come at a better time." And while Kelly could retire, her love for her job has directed her to do otherwise. Rather than quitting, she might cut back her hours.