A pizza driver who received a $2 tip after delivering through a snowstorm inspired a police officer’s viral TikTok video that touched thousands of people.
On a snowy January afternoon in Brownsburg, Indiana, Connor Stephanoff set out to deliver pizzas for Rock Star Pizza. The 20 year old driver, wearing only sweatpants and Nike shoes, walked more than half a mile through deep snow to deliver a $40 pizza order.
The roads were blocked by a school bus crash, but that didn’t stop him from completing his delivery to a house in an upscale neighborhood.
Police Lieutenant Richard Craig noticed Stephanoff trudging through the snow while managing the bus crash scene. “It was shocking to me; the roads were nearly impassable,” Craig said. “I was like: ‘I can’t believe this kid is doing this. … I’ve got to record this because nobody will believe what I’m seeing.'”
Craig took out his phone and started recording when he saw Stephanoff walking back with an empty pizza bag.
When Craig learned about the $2.15 tip Stephanoff received, he felt troubled. “Who tips a guy who risks everything to drive food to your door like this?” Craig asked in his TikTok video.
The officer gave Stephanoff the $15 he had in his wallet, but he wanted to do more. Two days later, Craig started a GoFundMe campaign hoping to raise $500 for the dedicated driver.
The response from people touched Craig’s heart. An anonymous person gave $1,500, and within days, almost 2,000 people donated money. The total reached $39,000, far beyond what anyone expected. “It’s incredible. We’ve gotten such great support,” Craig said.
Stephanoff lives with his grandmother and borrows her car to make deliveries. He uses his earnings to help pay their bills.
“She didn’t want me to go drive that day,” Stephanoff shared, but he felt responsible to do his job. Rock Star Pizza had given their drivers permission to stay home during the storm, but Stephanoff chose to work.
The money will help Stephanoff buy his own car. He plans to give some money to Craig to donate to charity and save the rest for college. “It will be a huge, huge help,” Stephanoff said.
Even with all the attention, Stephanoff stays humble. “Do for others what you would want someone to do for you,” he said. “I hope other people see this and also go the extra step.”
We should remember to value and appreciate people who serve us, no matter their job. Their dedication deserves our respect and fair treatment.
Companies should ensure their delivery workers receive fair wages that reflect their hard work and dedication, especially in challenging conditions.
Let’s pray for more people like Officer Craig who stand up for others, for companies to provide fair wages to their delivery workers, and for those like Connor who show up with dedication and serve others with their whole heart.
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