Boise Pizza Delivery Man's Kindness Earns Viral Tip

A simple gesture to help a customer led to a life-changing donation for the 68-year-old delivery driver.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 9:04pm

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A blurred, impressionistic photograph of a pizza delivery driver's hands holding a pizza box, with a softly focused residential neighborhood in the background, conveying a sense of warmth, care, and community.A simple act of kindness by a Boise pizza delivery driver sparked an outpouring of community support and a life-changing donation.Boise Today

Dan Simpson, a Boise pizza delivery driver, went out of his way to pick up a customer's missing soda order, not realizing it would lead to a viral video and a GoFundMe campaign that has raised over $25,000 for his retirement. The customer, Brian Wilson, was impressed by Simpson's thoughtfulness and kindness, especially since Wilson and his wife are visually impaired, making it difficult for them to run extra errands. The story has resonated with thousands online, who have donated to help Simpson, a former DUI offender who has struggled to save for retirement despite working multiple jobs.

Why it matters

This story highlights the power of small acts of kindness and how they can have a profound impact, even going viral and leading to life-changing donations. It also sheds light on the challenges faced by those with disabilities, and how simple gestures can make a big difference in their lives. The outpouring of support for Simpson reflects a broader desire for more compassion and empathy in society.

The details

When Dan Simpson, a 68-year-old Boise pizza delivery driver, realized the Domino's he was working for was out of the soda a customer had ordered, he didn't hesitate to run to a nearby convenience store to pick it up. This small act of going the extra mile for a customer was captured on video by the customer, Brian Wilson, and shared on TikTok. The video quickly went viral, leading to a GoFundMe campaign that has raised over $25,000 for Simpson, who is set to retire from his day job at the Idaho Department of Agriculture in just a few weeks.

  • On Friday night, Simpson delivered the customer's order with the extra soda he purchased.
  • By Saturday, Simpson's co-workers told him he was 'famous' due to the viral video.
  • By Monday, the TikTok video had over 325,000 views and the GoFundMe campaign had raised over $17,000.
  • By Tuesday, the GoFundMe campaign was close to $25,000.

The players

Dan Simpson

A 68-year-old Boise native who has worked as a pizza delivery driver for Domino's for over a decade to supplement his day job at the Idaho Department of Agriculture. He is set to retire from his state job at the end of April.

Brian Wilson

A Boise customer who was impressed by Simpson's thoughtfulness in going to get the missing soda, especially since Wilson and his wife are visually impaired, making it difficult for them to run extra errands.

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What they’re saying

“On the surface, it probably looked like such a small gesture. But to us, it felt like so much more than that. That kind of thoughtfulness and personal care just feels so rare these days.”

— Brian Wilson, Customer

“What Dan didn't know is that my wife and I are both visually impaired, so running to out to the store for a 'quick' pickup is not something that is simple or easy for us.”

— Brian Wilson, Customer

“This can't be real. I'm thinking, 'This has got to be some kind of a scam.'”

— Dan Simpson, Pizza Delivery Driver

What’s next

Simpson plans to use the money from the GoFundMe campaign towards a trip to see the Redwood trees in California after retiring from his state job at the end of April. He also plans to continue delivering pizza for Domino's.

The takeaway

This story demonstrates the profound impact that small acts of kindness can have, not only on the recipient but on the broader community. It highlights the importance of empathy, compassion, and going the extra mile to help others, even in seemingly minor ways. The outpouring of support for Simpson is a testament to the public's desire for more of these heartwarming stories in a world that can often feel disconnected and cynical.