Brooklyn Green started a GoFundMe page for an 85-year-old Tennessee woman when she saw her working at a local theater. She shared the video of Mary Ellen Eron while cleaning the AMC theater. In the video, she is seen pushing a heavy cleaning cart and lifting garbage bags. The video caption read, “Let’s secretly help retire this beautiful woman. No one deserves to work at this age.” The video received millions of views and likes.

Green was touched by the elderly woman working hard at her old age to make ends meet. She wrote on the GoFundMe page, “During a recent visit, I noticed her working incredibly hard, and it touched my heart. Seeing someone in their later years still working so diligently inspired me to try to make a difference.”

 

She made sure not to show her face in the video and kept her identity hidden for privacy. With the power of the internet, she was able to raise $146,317 before the fundraiser was paused. The goal of the fundraiser was to ensure Eron would be financially independent and not have to work during her retirement years. She had worked in the theater for over 45 years.

Over 7,500 people contributed to the donation, restoring faith in the community. In just 48 hours, netizens changed this woman’s life. Green told WATE, “I knew nothing about her. I didn’t even know her name when I went to the theater.” She added that the elderly woman “didn’t look too comfortable, especially since the way she was working so hard.”


That’s when she thought she should help retire the Tennessee woman with the help of some of her friends. She wanted to surprise Eron with the money. Little did she know that she would go viral with her fundraiser, and people would unite to help her.

Green shared Eron’s reactions to the big news on TikTok on Wednesday. She said, “Oh my goodness. That’s a lot of money.” She also thanked everyone who donated to her. “Thank you so very much to all the wonderful people who donated money to the GoFundMe,” Eron added.

It’s unclear if Eron retired after withdrawing the money. One of her co-workers revealed in the comments that she does not like to sit at home and gets bored. Moreover, she also helps homeless people.

Several social media users were touched by Green’s gesture and thoughtfulness. One X user wrote, “This is the kind of viral content I never get tired of seeing, one video, one person. Thousands of lives are reminded that kindness still exists.” Another one posted, “Watching the internet completely smash that GoFundMe goal to hand Mary Ellen Eron the financial freedom she deserves is legendary.”