South Carolina mom-of-5 raises $250,000 for Domino’s driver, 72, who fell on her porch while delivering pizza
SUMMERVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA: A South Carolina family raised more than $250,000 for a Domino's employee who injured herself while delivering pizzas to their house. Barbara Gillespie whose fall was captured in the family's home security camera was uploaded in TikTok amassing over 3 million views. The 72-year-old was seen stumbling and apologizing for losing the meal as a family member rushes to assist.
The family set up a GoFundMe campaign so as to give an extra "tip" for Gillespie, and as of Friday, February 17, it had amassed over $261,981. The fundraising initiative was started by Lacey Keighron, who also announced Gillespie's retirement on her Facebook page. "Barbara put in her 2-week notice at work yesterday!!! She’s officially retiring! So excited for her," Keighron wrote. Gillespie had been working for Domino’s for over five and a half years.
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'She is a favorite of our customers'
"Barbara is a beloved member of our family and she was recently honored with Team Member of the Year for 2022 within my company. She is also a favorite of our customers and always has a smile on her face. We are all very thrilled that these caring customers were able to help her transform her life so meaningfully. We are very happy for her" In a statement given by Domino's to Fox News.
According to Keighron, who spoke to Fox, her family speaks to Gillespie every day and explains why they decided to assist the 72-year-old woman. "Our motivation really was that both of our fathers (Keighron’s father and her husband Kevin's father) retired late in life and both died from terminal cancer. It really resonated in our hearts when we saw her (Gillespie) still working at her age and reminded us of both our fathers."
The camera footage
The footage captured from the home's doorbell camera which was uploaded on Keighron's TikTok handle depicts Gillespie bringing pizzas to the family's house. Pizza boxes in one hand and a bag in the other, Gillespie moved in the direction of the front entrance. When she approached the porch, she trips and fell down while spilling the food. Keighron's husband goes outside to aid Gillespie and asked if she was okay.
Keighron got Gillespie's last name from the Domino's manager there in order to make her the beneficiary of the GoFundMe funds, she informed The State. According to the news source, Keighron and her kids went to Gillespie's place of employment at Domino's and told her the good news. Gillespie will leave Domino's on February 16, according to The State. Keighron told the media outlet that Gillespie informed her that upon her retirement, she intends to take a cruise and visit Europe.