I did not know what TikTok was, but thanks to that social network Derlin Newey, a retiree from Utah (USA) who works 30 hours a week delivering pizzas to complete his meager income, will receive $ 12,000 (about 10,300 euros) from users of the video platform, moved by its story.
Newey, 89, is the regular Papa John's pizza delivery boy for Carlos Valdez's family.
Speaking to the KSL, a local television station affiliated with CNN, this neighbor assured that they always asked about the veteran delivery man when they did a home delivery.
They recorded their deliveries and uploaded them to Tik Tok on their @vendingheads channel.
89-year old Derlin Newey started delivering pizzas to make ends meet.
He never thought one of his customers would change everything.
Here's our story for @ KSL5TV on the delivery he never saw coming.
#ksltv #goodnews
🎥 @JDortz_Photog pic.twitter.com/WEJdOKoVnN
- Alex Cabrero (@KSL_AlexCabrero) September 23, 2020
They garnered more than 53,000 followers, and many of them, the Valdeses say, asked them why such an elderly man had to be delivering pizza.
And that's why they asked their supporters to make a donation to help Newey.
The money was not long in coming.
In no time they collected the sum and collected it in a check signed by "the TikTok family."
"Good morning, buddy. How are you?" Valdez said to the delivery man as he opened the door to his home in Weber County.
He handed her a T-shirt with the inscription "Hello, are you looking for pizza?", But Newey had a lot more waiting.
"We have collected this gift together for you. And I am here to give it to you, on behalf of the TikTok community."
The delivery man did not know what it was.
"Is that virtual group in which you communicate with your mobile?".
Newey was excited when he received the check.
"I don't know what to say except thank you," said the veteran delivery man.
"He needed it and I'm glad we were able to help him," Valdez said.
"We just have to treat people with kindness and respect, as he does. He has stolen our hearts."
Alex Cabrero, the KSL reporter who has covered the emotional story, has assured on Twitter that he has received "hundreds of messages" from people who also want to help Newey.
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