In Brighton, Michigan, an 88-year-old veteran continues to work at a supermarket for 40 hours a week due to financial difficulties. Recently, he was fortunate to have a social media influencer create a video for him and start a fundraising campaign, raising over $1.7 million within a few days, allowing him to finally retire and enjoy his golden years. This heartwarming turn of events brought tears to his eyes.
Ed Bambas, the elderly man in question, is a former U.S. Army veteran who later worked at General Motors upon retirement. He initially retired in 1999 but lost his pension in 2009 when the company declared bankruptcy, leaving him without a source of income.
Meanwhile, his wife of over 50 years fell seriously ill. To cover her substantial medical bills, Bambas had to sell properties and other assets. After his wife passed away seven years ago, he struggled to make ends meet and took a job as a cashier at a local supermarket.
Bambas told WXYZ TV, “After my wife passed away, I didn’t have enough income to cover the expenses of the property or the other bills accumulated due to her illness.”
He added, “For me, it was not difficult because I knew I had to do it. I am lucky that God gave me a good body, enabling me to stand there for 8 to 8.5 hours every day.”
Bambas’ luck changed when 22-year-old Australian social media influencer Samuel Weidenhofer encountered him in the supermarket about two weeks ago, leading to a significant turning point in his life.
Weidenhofer filmed a short video for Bambas and uploaded it to social media, rapidly gaining popularity. He then launched a GoFundMe fundraising campaign urging people to donate to help Bambas retire permanently.
This initiative touched the hearts of many generous donors. Over 15,000 people have contributed donations ranging from $10 to $10,000.
Weidenhofer, a Melbourne-based influencer with over 10 million followers across various social media platforms, said, “His story vividly reminds us that too many elderly people, especially veterans, face incredible challenges just to survive.”
Weidenhofer’s efforts paid off when Bambas received a $1.7 million donation check at a press conference on December 5th. With tears in his eyes, he expressed his gratitude, saying, “Thank you. My goodness.”
Jokingly, he told reporters, “This means I have a big responsibility. I have to find everyone and say ‘thank you.'”
Weidenhofer mentioned that Bambas could use the unexpected windfall to repay $225,000 of debt. As for the rest of the money, it’s entirely up to him to decide how to use it. He described it as feeling like a dream.
Bambas expressed his desire to visit his brother and take up golf again. As for work, he plans to continue for another month or two before stepping down as a cashier.
(You can watch the related video by clicking here)