A South Carolina family has pulled out all the stops to give a generous tip to their Domino’s delivery driver Barbara Gillespie, who is about to retire, after witnessing her fall while delivering pizzas to their home earlier this month.
Lacey Keighron and her family set up a GoFundMe account to give the 72-year-old a “final tip” and as much exposure as possible. The fundraiser has raised more than $268,000 for Gillespie, who has been with Domino’s for 22 years.
“She is an older woman who fell and only cared about the food she dropped. Let’s show her some kindness and take off some of this burden that our economy is causing the older generations especially!!” Keighron wrote in the fundraiser’s description.
The Keighrons have since been in touch with Gillespie on a daily basis, and in her Feb. 9 TikTok update, Keighron said Gillespie put in her two-week notice and is “officially retiring.”
In a statement to FOX Television Stations, Domino’s said Gillespie is a “beloved member of our family” and was honored with her store’s Team Member of the Year award in 2022.
“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,” the statement continued.
Doorbell camera footage posted on Keighron’s TikTok page showed Gillespie’s fall as she was delivering pizzas to the family’s home on Feb. 2. Keighron’s husband is seen coming out the front door and offering to help the woman get back up.
Keighron told FOX TV Stations her family was motivated to bless Gillespie due to the late retirements of her father and father-in-law, both of whom died from terminal cancer.
The State in South Carolina reported that Keighron contacted the local Domino’s manager to get Gillespie’s last name so she could make her the beneficiary on the GoFundMe account. The media outlet also said Keighron and her daughters visited the Domino’s store Gillespie worked at to tell her the good news in person.
Gillespie’s last day with Domino’s was Thursday, Feb. 16, according to The State. Keighron said Gillespie plans to take a cruise and travel to Europe during her retirement.
