Viral TikTok video by off-duty S.C. providers helps raise $265K+ for elderly Domino's driver
Central Berkeley EMT Lacey Klein's video of Barbara Gillespie, 72, touched many after Gillespie fell near Klein's front door while delivering pizza
By Leila Merrill
FireRescue1/EMS1
SUMMERVILLE, S.C. — An EMT and a firefighter-paramedic helped a 72-year-old Domino’s delivery driver recover from a fall she suffered earlier this month at their home and created a viral video and a fundraiser so she can retire.
Barbara Gillespie was delivering food to the home of Lacey Klein and her husband, Kevin Keighron, and when she fell near their front door, Newsweek reported. The family’s doorbell camera caught that moment.
Klein, an EMT with Central Berkeley Fire and EMS in Summerville, and Keighron, a firefighter-EMT, rushed to help Gillespie.
"Watching her fall on our camera playback was horrific, and we were so sad for her that she wasn't retired at her age but instead was delivering food," Klein told Newsweek.
So Klein uploaded footage of the incident to TikTok and set up a GoFundMe page for Gillespie.
"I thought, even if only a couple people donate, maybe she could take a couple days off to recover and relax," she said.
The video went viral.
As of midday Friday, more than 16,000 donations have been made, raising a total of over $269,000.
@momofthe5ks Our dominos delivery driver fell on our front porch today and my heart just hurts for her. She’s clearly having a hard time. She was so worried about our food but all we cared about was that she was okay. I’m so sad for her @dominos #fyp #foryou #foryoupage #dominospizza
♬ original sound - Lacey Keighron
@momofthe5ks Shes just the sweetest honestly 😭😭 we just love her so much!!! And for thise asking, yes she has recieved her funds from gofundme ❤️ we absolutely didnt take them!!! So excited for her retirement!! Do yall want another live update with Kevin and I? We will get another one with Barbara ASAP but shes super overwhelmed so we need to give her a break for a bit ❤️❤️❤️#internetgrandma #dominos #dominospizza #blessbarbara #for #foryou #foryoupage #update #gofundme
♬ original sound - Lacey Keighron
