Idaho Domino’s Driver Retires After Kind Act Goes Viral
Dan Simpson, a 68-year-old Domino’s Pizza delivery worker from Idaho, has decided to retire after a small act of kindness unexpectedly led to a significant wave of support, raising over $170,000 for him.
Simpson, affectionately known as “Dan the Man,” expressed that a fortunate turn of events allowed him to leave his demanding job sooner than anticipated. “I woke up this morning and checked my bank account—there was $163,000. What a retirement gift!” he remarked, noting that the total donations have now reached $171,375.
His rise to internet fame began in March after a doorbell camera captured him buying a Diet Coke for a customer when the store ran out. He humbly told the customer, Brian Wilson, “Oh, no need for that. That’s a good chip,” when Wilson offered to pay him back.
The video, which gained significant traction online, resulted in a GoFundMe campaign that drew millions of views and far surpassed its original target. Wilson shared that he and his wife are visually impaired, making trips to the store challenging. “What may have seemed like a small inconvenience to him actually made a big difference for us,” he reflected.
Having worked as a delivery driver for years, along with a stint at the Idaho Department of Agriculture, Simpson is now looking forward to a more leisurely life. “I’m ready to get back to normal again,” he stated, admitting he didn’t expect to receive any more interview requests.
Instead of extravagant purchases, Simpson plans to keep a low profile and “buy a decent van.” He hopes to explore back roads, take photographs, and maybe even visit the coast.
Simpson also opened up about his past challenges, including battles with addiction and time spent in prison. “I had a lot of problems with drinking and drugs,” he confessed. He has now maintained sobriety for nearly 24 years and has been dedicated to working hard ever since his release.
Financially stable now, he wants to give back to those dealing with addiction, feeling that “drugs and alcohol may become ingrained in something that is no longer needed in our lives.”
Even after retiring, Simpson plans to continue delivering pizzas on weekends. “Thank you, Boise. Thank you, Treasure Valley,” he said warmly. “You’ve made my life a lot easier.”
