A heartwarming act of kindness has captured global attention after a viral video helped raise more than $750,000 (about Sh 97 million) for a 78-year-old delivery driver working for DoorDash in the U.S. state of Tennessee.
The fundraiser was launched after a doorbell camera captured the elderly driver completing a delivery despite appearing physically frail, prompting thousands of people around the world to donate in support of his retirement.
The campaign, hosted on GoFundMe, has since become one of the most widely shared online kindness stories in recent weeks.
The story began when a Tennessee resident, Brittany Smith, ordered coffee through the DoorDash delivery platform.
Her home security camera recorded the driver, later identified as Richard Pulley slowly walking up the driveway and carefully climbing the steps to deliver the order.
The footage showed the elderly man appearing to struggle with the physically demanding task, which Smith said deeply moved her.
Concerned by what she saw, Smith shared the video online hoping to identify the driver and offer assistance.
The clip quickly went viral on social media, particularly on TikTok, where millions of viewers watched the emotional moment and expressed sympathy for the hardworking driver.
Internet users soon helped identify the man in the video as Richard Pulley, a 78-year-old delivery driver from Manchester, Tennessee.
According to the fundraiser description, his wife had lost her job, leaving the couple struggling to meet basic living expenses.
To help support his family, Pulley began delivering food through DoorDash, despite the physical strain the job sometimes placed on him.
After learning more about Pulley’s situation, Brittany Smith created a fundraising campaign on GoFundMe with the goal of helping the elderly driver return to retirement.
The campaign explained that Pulley had previously retired but was forced back into work due to financial pressures.
The fundraiser quickly attracted widespread attention as the viral video continued to circulate online.
Within hours, donations began pouring in from strangers across the United States and beyond.
Thousands of people contributed small amounts, leaving encouraging messages praising Pulley’s dedication and work ethic.
As the story spread, the fundraiser rapidly exceeded its original goal.
Within days, the campaign raised more than $750,000, far surpassing expectations and providing Pulley with a potentially life-changing financial cushion.
Supporters said the funds could allow him to finally step away from demanding delivery work and enjoy a more comfortable retirement.
Platforms like DoorDash allow individuals to work flexible hours delivering food and other items, but drivers typically rely on tips and delivery fees as their main source of income.
While the work offers flexibility, many drivers continue working well into their senior years due to financial necessity.