Elderly Woman Breaks Down In Happy Tears When Garbage Collectors Show Up On Her Front Porch

An elderly woman received a special surprise on her 100th birthday when garbage collectors arrived on her front porch with a cake to celebrate her special day.

Dorothy Ballard, a mother of three with 11 grandchildren and 32 great-grandchildren, celebrated her 100th birthday on August 8. She was showered with gifts, special messages, and flowers.

But it was her biggest fans who went to the next level to make her day extra special.

Ben Bird, her favorite garbage collector, had joked before about bringing her a treat ‘if she made it to 100,’ he said to Birmingham Mail. When the day finally arrived, he was sure to keep his promise.

“I talk to her every Thursday from 8am to 8.10am and every time I walk up her garden path she will be there waiting for me,” he shared. “I’ve been a binman for about 11 years and love listening to her stories about her life.”

He added: “We have deadlines to meet on our round, but my colleagues carry on and let me catch them up – I could not pass Dorothy’s house without stopping to speak to her.”

In a video filmed by his colleague, the men can be seen walking to Ballard’s porch while whispering excitedly. Bird held the pink cake, protecting the candles from the wind.

As they got closer to the porch, they called out her nickname ‘Mercy.’ Ballard came to the door and she broke down in happy tears.

After the three men sang ‘Happy Birthday,’ Bird said: “Make a wish!” adding, “to live to 105.” Ballard retorted affectionately: “Shut up!”

Ballard’s granddaughter Katy Smith shared the video on Facebook.

She wrote: “My heart has melted.” The clip has been viewed more than 3.5 million times.

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