*Featured image contains photo by RODNAE Productions
Domino’s Pizza delivery driver James Gilpin was having an ordinary day at work zipping around town dropping off pizzas. He received what appeared to be a normal order for two pizzas from Indiana Wesleyan University.
Each week, the students at IWU attend a mandatory chapel service. This particular week, however, was going to be different.
The Enormous Tip One Domino’s Employee Received
CEO of Residential Education, Keith Newman, wanted to deliver a lasting lesson to the students with a more practical approach. He wanted to “do for one what you wish you could do for everyone” and wanted his students to all be included in the inspirational gesture.
Newman ordered two pizzas from Domino’s and asked that everyone in attendance donate coins, bills, or anything they chose to give as a tip.
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Nearly 3,000 people were handed notecards when they entered the service and were asked to write an encouraging message for the delivery driver, who would turn out to be Gilpin, a complete stranger.
By the time Gilpin arrived with the pizzas, students and faculty members had raised a whopping $1248.86 as a tip, as well as thousands of encouraging notes and $100 in gift cards. Newman called the delivery driver onto the stage and surprised him with all the generous gifts from the students of the university.
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Since this special day, Gilpin continues to open the notes at random and said that the words of encouragement and support truly inspired him.
His plans for the unexpected windfall are to purchase Christmas gifts for his two young children, complete needed home improvements, and get his car taken in for repairs.
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“You can get overwhelmed that there are so many needs out there and things you’d like to do, but you can’t for everybody,” Newman said. “So the message is a simple one -- just because you can’t do everything doesn’t mean you can’t do something. So do for one what you wish you could do for everyone.”
Gilpin left with much more than he came with thanks to the amazing students, staff, and faculty who had a different workday in store for him.
