Omar Gutierrez struggled to keep up with more than 500 e-mails and donations pouring in Monday from as far as South Korea and Germany as people learned of his good deed for a pizza deliveryman who was beaten and carjacked.

Gutierrez, 31, witnessed the attack on Stephen Walker last week in south Evanston and started collecting money from neighbors to replace Walker's 2003 Kia, which was totaled during the incident.

They had raised $1,700 after Gutierrez started a Web site explaining Walker, 47, had minimal insurance on his car and did not expect his employer would replace it.

On Monday, after the Tribune reported on the community's effort, hundreds of readers joined the cause, donating nearly $7,000 as of late afternoon.

"I am very proud," said Gutierrez, who said he had no time to eat or take a shower as he tried to keep up with the relentless e-mails. A neighbor brought him lunch while he also worked to keep his PayPal account open after someone attempted to tamper with it.

"I am happy I was able to help him," he said, adding in an e-mail, "it is raining donations!"

Gutierrez and his neighbors plan to present Walker with the money Tuesday in the same courtyard where the attack occurred in the 100 block of Clyde Avenue. Gutierrez, who was laid off from his job as an architect four months ago, also plans to continue to update his Web site -- available via chicagotribune.com/clyde -- to report on what kind of car Walker buys and when the court date for the two alleged attackers takes place.

Walker, who delivers pizza for Papa John's, also was overwhelmed by the outpouring of generosity.

"I just want to thank everybody who has helped me, especially Omar," said Walker, who lives in subsidized housing in Carol Stream. Walker, who has no medical insurance, was cut and bruised in the attack. He earns $6.75 an hour plus tips and has worked for the same man for 16 years, following him to several pizza restaurants.

After learning of his plight, the pizza chain offered to donate an additional $2,500 to help Walker -- with $1,500 coming from the Papa John's franchise in Evanston where Walker works. The remaining $1,000 will come from an emergency fund through the corporate office, a company spokeswoman said Monday.

On June 2, Walker had just delivered a couple of pizzas to a regular customer when two young men came up from behind, shoved him into a stair railing and began punching and kicking him, he said.

After taking his wallet and car keys, they stole Walker's car, crashing it a few blocks away. Gutierrez, who saw the attack from his condominium window, called police before running to Walker's aid.

Among the many unexpected turns, he said, was the response from other pizza deliverers.

"A lot of delivery guys have written me saying, 'Thank you for what you are doing for us,'" said Gutierrez, adding that they face dangerous situations daily. "I would like to tell people to tip well."

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lblack@tribune.com