Idaho woman, 21, who has raised almost $60,000 for 71-year-old DoorDash delivery driver describes him as the 'sweetest man' as the pair meet for dinner and donations keep rolling in
A young woman in Idaho had raised almost $60,000 for an elderly DoorDash delivery driver after she watched him struggle on her front steps.
Anabelle Grace Stephens, 21, captured the 71-year-old man, Kerry Judd, on her doorbell camera last week. The video shows him moving slowly up and down her front stoop to deliver the food she ordered.
Touched, Stephens shared the clip on TikTok and launched a GoFundMe for Judd in hopes to help him finally retire — and donations have quickly poured in.
On Tuesday night, the total was $58,945, with more than 2,500 people donating to help Judd.
Stephens said Tuesday that she has now met Judd, posting a photo of them to TikTok and saying: 'Kerry and I are going big this week! Met at dinner tonight and it was such a fun time!
'Kerry is the sweetest man I have ever met and he made my night by giving me gifts.'
Anabelle Stephens, 21, on Tuesday night posted a video to TikTok showing her meeting Kerry Judd, the 71-year-old delivery man she has been fundraising for
@anabellegracestephens Kerry and I are going big this week! Met at dinner tonight and it was such a fun time! #kerry #idaho #ktvb ♬ Home - Edith Whiskers
Anabelle Grace Stephens, 21, captured Kerry Judd, 71, on her doorbell camera last week
He walked slowly up and down her front stairs while dropping off her food delivery
Widowed since 2011, he has two sons and works as a security guard and DoorDash driver 'to make ends meet'
@anabellegracestephens Hype Kerry up 梁 #doordash ♬ Tell Me Why I'm Waiting - Timmies/Shiloh
When Stephens saw the footage of Judd delivering her food, she posted it to TikTok, commenting: 'Tell me I didn't just get the cutest door dasher,' with a pair of crying emojis.
The clip shows Judd in a button-down shirt, slacks, and a red cap slowly walking up her front steps - a brown paper bag and drink in hand.
He sets them down, then backs down the stairs slowly, coming to a stop on each step.
Stephens was struck that a man Judd's age is still working to support himself, and quickly leapt into action to help.
First, she chipped in herself by tipping him $30 on a $21 delivery.
She then contacted DoorDash to track him down, and was eventually connected to him
She also responded to critics, saying she tipped him $30 on the original order
'I'm working on setting up a meeting with Kerry! His son reached out and said he's a very private man. He's been working basically his entire life and gone through a lot of hardships,' she wrote in a followup video.
'I gave his son my number and I am now waiting for Kerry to reach out to me so we can set up a meeting and hopefully help this man finally retire!'
Stephens launched a GoFundMe for Judd.
She also learned more about his background.
Widowed since 2011, he has two sons and works as a security guard and DoorDash driver 'to make ends meet.'
'I have been dealing with some health issues that have affected my Dashing abilities at times,' he said.
'I love sharing my DoorDash experience with others so they can earn income and be successful in their dashing experience.'
He noted that the basic pay for DoorDash is just $2.50 per delivery, and because the app's fees are so expensive, customers 'don't always tip.'
Stephens has already set up the GoFundMe page to automatically transfer the funds directly to Judd, and said she 'can't begin to describe the amount of support from across the world!'
Yet even though that means he is sometimes barely paid, he showed understanding.
'Times are tough and there are times they are not able to go out so they order DoorDash,' he said.
Stephens praised Judd as funny, sweet, and 'a hard working guy who is working two jobs, trying to make ends meet, and is still raising older children.'
She has already set up the GoFundMe page to automatically transfer the funds directly to Judd, and said she 'can't begin to describe the amount of support from across the world!'
'This is beyond words and beyond what I could ever imagine! This is life changing for Kerry and that is ALL from you guys!!!' she said on TikTok.
Yet while some viewers have found the story sweet, some seen it as proof that the American economic system is broken.
Yet while some viewers have found the story sweet, some seen it as proof that the American economic system is broken
'Nah cause that's sad that someone his age has to work at all,' wrote one commenter.
'I hope this old man is just working because he wants to stay active and have something to do. Old people shouldn't have to work,' said another.
'He should be enjoying retirement. This makes me so sad,' wrote one more.
Another chimed in: 'This made me cry, in a bad way. This country has failed its elderly.
'We need to do better for our elderly,' said yet another, while one more said it 'broke my heart.'
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