The day before Christmas, a crowd gathered at Balducci’s to honor Charlotte.
The 93-year-old Balducci’s cashier — perhaps the most beloved store clerk in Westport — was celebrated by several dozen admirers. They love her warm smile, her kind words, and her long service to generations of shoppers. (She began in the bakery, back in the Hay Day days.)
Charlotte was surprised by the attention and praise.
She was amazed when Dan Frank — an Instacart driver inspired by his near-daily interactions with Charlotte — announced that dozens of her admiers had contributed money for a Christmas gift.
She was even more stunned when Dan told her the amount: $28,950.
He handed her a large, symbolic check.
Dan Frank hands Charlotte her check. (Photo/Ryan Allen)
On Friday, the real funds came through.
It took awhile for GoFundMe to transfer the money, Dan explained. But now she had her Christmas gift, for real.
Click below to see Dan giving Charlotte the good news.
And to watch her genuine joy — along with the smile that has endeared her to generations of customers, during Charlotte’s decades in Westport.
That’s a wonderful thing to do for a lovely lady. Hope she does something she always wanted to do with this gift
There is still genuine good in this world!
So wonderful!
Long live Queen Charlotte!