A 21-year-old woman in Tennessee, United States raised more than $146,000 in less than 24 hours for an 80-year-old cinema worker after noticing her cleaning up rubbish at an AMC theatre. What began as a TikTok video and a small fundraising effort soon attracted thousands of people online, with donations far exceeding the $500 the young woman had initially hoped to collect.According to WVLT, Brooklyn Green had gone to watch a film with her grandparents at the AMC theatre in Maryville, Tennessee, when she noticed an elderly employee pushing a cleaning cart and emptying rubbish. The woman was working hard, and Green decided to record a short video of her.“I just saw her work ethic. She was just working really hard,” Green told WVLT. She later posted the video on TikTok and created a GoFundMe campaign to help the worker, hoping she could eventually enjoy retirement.Green initially expected that friends and family might contribute around $500. Instead, the video spread rapidly, and donations crossed $100,000 within the first day. The total eventually reached approximately $146,000 before Green returned to the theatre to surprise the woman.
Mary, the 80-year-old cinema worker
After launching the fundraiser, Green returned to the theatre to find the elderly employee. However, the woman was not working that day. Green spoke to a manager and learnt that her name was Mary.According to the report, Mary had worked in theatres for more than 45 years. Managers told Green that she enjoyed her job and did not want to stop working. They said Mary was concerned that things might go downhill for her if she stopped working at her age.Green also learnt that Mary regularly helped other people. According to the information shared with her, Mary supported her church and people experiencing homelessness.Her willingness to help others became another reason Green wanted the fundraising effort to succeed. Green recalled a conversation with Mary about the people she supported.“She told me that she helps a mother and child and some of the homeless, and I told her that it comes back tenfold,” Green said.
Mixed reactions to fundraiser
As the TikTok video gained attention, Green began sharing updates about the fundraising campaign. In one update, she explained that Mary was unaware of the video and the money being collected for her.Green also told followers that Mary might not want to accept the donations. According to the manager, Mary was reluctant to stop working, and Green acknowledged that the elderly woman might choose to give the money to other people or charities.The possibility prompted criticism from some social media users. They questioned whether the donations should be returned if Mary did not want the money or decided against retirement.Green responded by making it clear that Mary would have complete control over the funds. “Guys, I said she will decide regardless what to do with the donations. If she decides to give it to a charity or whatever then that is her decision. She is getting every penny, deep breaths lol,” Green wrote.She also acknowledged that some people had criticised her for starting the campaign without first speaking to Mary about retirement. “I have gotten a lot of support, but also a lot of backlash for assuming she wants to retire, as well as her not being aware that I was doing this,” Green told Storyful, according to CBS News.
Mary reacts to fundraiser
Despite the criticism, Green continued with her plan to meet Mary and personally tell her about the donations. Green eventually returned to the AMC theatre while Mary was working and surprised her with news of the fundraising campaign.By then, donations had reached approximately $146,000. Green showed Mary the amount on a tablet, revealing how much money strangers had contributed after watching the TikTok video.Mary was overwhelmed by the response and thanked everyone who had donated.“Thank you so very much to all the wonderful people that have donated money. I’m overwhelmed and certainly blessed by the Lord and you wonderful people,” Mary told WVLT.Following the surprise, Mary asked for the GoFundMe campaign to be paused. She said she had already received more than she could ask for. Meanwhile, Green has decided she will work on other projects intended to support more people.
