On December 18th, Joe DiCicco, or better known as Taco Bell Joe in South Daytona, FL, went into work not knowing that he would be greeted with a wonderful tip of over $6,000 from practical strangers! Joe, 70, has been working at the Taco Bell drive-thru window for 20 years and has unknowingly touched the lives of so many people passing through his drive-thru.
A woman from the area, Tricia Phillippi, started a social media group to highlight local restaurants and employees to help keep local businesses afloat throughout the pandemic that the world is facing. Joe was nominated by customer Sydney Crichton who said,
“He just brings a smile to everyone’s face. Interacting with him just brings so much joy.”
When presented with the extra large check of $6,095 Tricia, the creator of the social media group said,
“Thank you for your amazing customer service and for being friends to all of us. Happy Holidays, Joe.”
Tricia mentioned that in the vote for favorite employee within the group, Taco Bell Joe won by a landslide. Evidently, so many people in the South Daytona community have been touched by his kindness over the years.
Taco Bell Joe even made a Facebook post thanking his community. A few members of the community left some nice comments, one of which made note of the fact that he greeted everyone with “Hello, my friend,” which is not common to hear from anyone in customer service.
Taco Bell Joe’s response brought a couple of the attendees to tears in the parking lot of the Taco Bell,
“God bless you. I am overwhelmed, truly overwhelmed. I have been blessed by their goodness,” Joe said.
Tricia stated that the tip had started at just $50 but quickly headed into thousands of dollars from all the loyal drive-thru patrons. It is clear that Taco Bell Joe has made a positive influence on so many people in his community after seeing his $50 gift sky-rocket to over $6,000!
“To be a part of this and to see this man so touched- it is life changing for me,” said Tricia as she wiped away a tear, “So I am very grateful.”
Ever humble, Joe said,
“It is my customers that I owe this to. They bring out the best in me. It’s them- I couldn’t do it without their help.” Taco Bell Joe pushed through some tears during his interview and said, “They give me strength. They give me wisdom. They give me vitality.”
Another loyal customer that made an appearance was Raj Gohill who also had nice things to say.
“You could have the worst day and by the time you get through the drive-thru there,” Raj said as he gestured to the Taco Bell drive-through, “you are just smiling.”
“I am going to do my best to live up to it,” Taco Bell Joe said, “and to light a little candle in every heart of every person that I meet.”
Everyone was so touched by this act of kindness to such a kind man. Tricia gave Taco Bell Joe a hug and rubbed his back while he continued to express how grateful he was about the unexpected gift. Seeing this wonderful act of kindness from strangers really brightens up the bleak year that everyone has had facing the pandemic. Hopefully, this gift from strangers brightened up Taco Bell Joe’s holidays.
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