The feel good story just keeps getting better.
Hopefully by now you’ve heard about a kind gesture by a Tennessean named Brittany Smith that’s turned into a massive viral moment. Last week, the Manchester, Tennessee resident had Starbucks DoorDashed to her home. She was surprised when her order was delivered by a 78-year-old man who had trouble getting up her front porch steps. Smith’s doorbell video captured footage of an older man named Richard Pulley – dressed in a button up shirt tucked into khakis – gently placing her order at her door and walking away.
She was heartbroken, and quickly went to TikTok to get help:
“TikTok I need your help! Help me find this precious man! He delivered Starbucks to my house today but I need to find him because why is he DoorDashing at his age? He’s so precious, just look at him. He should be retired living his best life.”
@savetheweens931 Tik tok I need your help!!!! Help me find this precious man! He delivered Starbucks to my house today but I need to find him because why is he door dashing at this age! He’s so precious just look at him! He should be retired living his best life😭😭😭 his name is Richard according to the app and this is the Manchester, Tennessee area! #Tennessee#helpmefindhim #letshelphimretire #pleaseshare ♬ original sound – savetheweens931
He really should be retired and living his best life.
Why isn’t he? Because Richard Pulley and his wife, Brenda, have hit hard times. Ever since Brenda lost her job, and with medical bills stacking up, they’ve been working together to make DoorDash deliveries for over a year. Brenda drives the car, and Richard takes the order up to people’s doorstep.
Richard, who was retired for 15 years, apparently started DoorDashing around a year and a half ago. In that time, he’s made just shy of 6,000 deliveries, and says he enjoys it because it helps make ends meet on his terms and schedule, and allows him to stay active and connected with his community.
Once Richard was identified, and his story was out there, Brittany Smith set up a GoFundMe campaign to try and raise $600,000 so that the couple could actually enjoy their later years instead of grinding to make DoorDash deliveries together:
“My name is Brittany and I am setting up this go fund me for Richard. Richard delivered Starbucks to my home via DoorDash and it was evident from the video this was a task for him. With the help of social media, I was able to track down Richard and learned he does DoorDash due to his wife being fired from her job (at no fault of her own) and by the time they pay their monthly expenses plus purchase their medication there is nothing left. Let’s help Richard go back into retirement!”
As of March 17, the fundraiser has raised over $948,000.
That life changing amount of money will undoubtedly help Richard Pulley and his wife, Brenda. The Tennessee couple is completely overwhelmed by the generosity of strangers, and told WSMV that the kind donation will allow them to live their lives again:
“It’s just really difficult to believe that there’s that many people that are that generous to try to help us. People that don’t even know us. We appreciate every one of them… it’s taking a lot of pressure off of us … and making life livable once again.”
That being said, Richard Pulley isn’t planning on quitting DoorDash. Though he’ll take a break to take his wife of 56 years on a vacation, the 78-year-old wishes to continue DoorDashing because it keeps him feeling young, and gives him something to stay busy with. From Richard Pulley’s outlook on live to the generous donations that have poured on, it’s truly a heartwarming story.
A spokesperson for DoorDash confirmed that they too will be contributing to the fundraiser and are sending $20,000 over to Richard Pulley and his wife for all of their hard work. They also provided this statement to Whiskey Riff:
“Richard’s dedication to supporting himself and his wife is truly inspiring. Like many others, we were moved by his story and the outpouring of support from people across the country. It’s also a powerful reminder of how dashing can bring communities together, while helping people earn extra money to make life easier.”
DoorDash will also be providing Brittany Smith, the woman who recognized Richard Pulley in the first place and set up the GoFundMe for him, with a small gift to help her for shining a light on the older DoorDasher.
