89-Year-Old Papa John’s Pizza Deliveryman Gets $12,000 Tip From Caring Community

(Screenshot/Google Maps; Illustration - Gorlov-KV/Shutterstock)

Making ends meet can be a struggle when you deliver pizza for a living. Delivery drivers rely on tips, and when people get stingy, they often come up short.

So, it comes as no surprise that an elderly Papa John’s driver was brought to tears upon receiving an incredible $12,000 tip.

Utah resident Derlin Newey was left in utter shock one Tuesday morning when one of his regular customers, who also happens to be a TikTok star, appeared on the doorstep with a delivery of his own. A delivery of cash.

Video taken during the transaction, aired by KSL News, shows Newey staring down into an envelope stuffed with cash, unable to believe his eyes. His voice trembles as he said through tears of gratitude, “How do I ever say thank you?”

Papa John's Pizza at 3404 4800 S St Roy, Utah (Screenshot/Google Maps)

For the 89-year-old Utah resident, delivering pizza is a means to an end. He told the news outlet that he started working 30 hours per week when he realized social security wouldn’t be enough to pay the bills.

Dewey is known for his genial personality, and for his signature line, “Hello, are you looking for some pizza?”

When he started making regular deliveries to the home of TikTok star Carlos Valdez, he became an instant favorite with Valdez’s family.

The TikTok celebrity told Deseret News that his family loves pizza, but it isn’t the pizza itself that keeps them coming back to Papa Johns. Rather, they took a liking to Newey, and they now request him as their driver every time they order. They even went so far as to post videos of his deliveries on TikTok.

Newey was an instant hit with Valdez’s 53,000 followers.

“It’s insane. Everybody loves him,” said Valdez.

Many of Valdez’s fans expressed frustration that an elderly man still had to work such demanding hours just to make ends meet.

“Somebody at that age should not be working as much,” Valdez added.

Derlin Newey, a pizza delivery driver in Utah, hugs the Valdez family after being surprised with a tip of a lifetime. (KSL TV)

Derlin Newey was shocked to find out his "TikTok Family" raised over $12,000 for him. (KSL TV).

It wasn’t long before Valdez decided to use his viral handle, @vendingheads, to raise some money to help out. He expected a few donations, hoping to make a substantial tip for the delivery driver.

But he never expected the sheer outpouring of love that was soon to follow, and he certainly didn’t expect a grand total of $12,000.

Not long afterward, Valdez arrived at Newey’s front door with an envelope full of cash. He explained that he and his wife had collected money through TikTok.

Newey had never heard of the app. “Is that an online group you communicate with each other through the telephone?” he asked.

When Valdez handed over the envelope, Newey peered inside and was instantly brought to tears.

“I don’t know what to say,” he said. “Except thank you.”

It seems that this kind man, who’s brought smiles to so many faces during his deliveries, has finally gotten the break he deserves.

“This couldn’t have gone any better. He needed this,” said Valdez. “I’m just glad we could help him. We just need to treat people with kindness and respect the way he does. He stole our hearts.”

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