What began as a quiet Panera delivery in Nocatee has turned into a nationwide gesture of gratitude — and more than $21,000 raised for an 81-year-old man who still climbs stairs to deliver meals with a smile.
As first reported by The Citizen, Larry Bailey, a father and grandfather, was delivering Panera to 21-year-old Ireland Dannehold last Tuesday when the routine exchange unexpectedly touched her heart.
The aspiring nurse was struck by his age, his gentle demeanor, and the clear effort it took for him to reach her third-floor apartment.
She watched the moment again on her Ring doorbell footage — the way Bailey waited patiently, the weariness in his posture, and then the smile that broke across his face when she opened the door.
Bailey, it turns out, enjoys his DoorDash work. He doesn’t just do it out of boredom — he does it to stay ahead of what life may bring.
“Someday I’m not going to be able to work,” Bailey told News4Jax.. “If I’m still alive, we’re going to need money. I’ve lived a lot longer than I thought I would. You just never know how long you’re going to live.”
Dannehold initially tipped Bailey $10 but felt it wasn’t enough. She shared the video on social media, hoping someone could identify him. Within hours, it had gone viral — amassing over 1.1 million views on TikTok and drawing thousands of comments, many from others in Ponte Vedra who had met Bailey through their own deliveries.
Moved by the outpouring of support, Dannehold launched a “community apprecaition” GoFundMe campaign in his honor. In just a few days, it surpassed $21,000 — far beyond her original goal.
Commenters from across the country united to support the granddad, with many St. Johns residents recalling their own pleasant interactions with him during deliveries.
They also showered Dannehold with praise, noting that she’ll make an exceptional nurse.
“I didn’t expect any of this to happen,” Dannehold said after meeting Bailey for the first time since their doorway transaction this week.
