BRIGHTON, Mich. (AP) — Ed Bambas will soon ring his last can of corn.
The 88-year-old Michigan grocery worker was handed a big check for $1.7 million Friday, the result of a remarkable fundraising campaign by a young Australian with an extraordinary following on social media.
“No, no,” said Bambas while wiping away tears and sniffles in front of the journalists. “Thank you. Oh, my God.”
Sam Weidenhofer, 22, is using his powerful platforms to spread kindness — and money — on a visit to the United States.
He met Bambas at a Meijer store in Brighton in southeast Michigan about two weeks ago and recorded a TikTok video for his 7.7 million followers in which the General Motors retiree explained why he’s still working as he approaches 90, following the death of his wife, Joan, from a chronic illness in 2018.
“I don’t have enough income,” Bambas said on the video.
Weidenhofer in turn launched a GoFundMe drive online, urging people to help Bambas.
“His story is a stark reminder that too many of our seniors, especially veterans face incredible challenges just to survive,” said Weidenhofer, who is from Melbourne, Australia, and has more than 10 million followers on various social media sites.
The response was staggering: More than 15,000 people stepped in with donations ranging from $10 to $10,000.
“That means a terrible burden,” Bambas joked to reporters. “I have to find everybody and say, ‘thank you.'”
He said he started working at Meijer, a big box store that carries groceries, clothing and other items, at 82 years old.
“I talk to everyone who came through my cashier line because she helped me not to become discouraged for her loss. … I gave them a piece of the story of my life,” said Bambas, referring to his wife.
Former estranged customer Lexi Wallace, 26, took to Weidenhofer’s Facebook page and urged him to find Bambas.
“I thought his name was Bob. He never corrected me,” said Wallace. “I’d like to go to Meijer to see him.”
Weidenhofer said Bambas will be able to eliminate $225,000 in debt with the windfall. How he spends the rest of the money is totally up to him.
“It feels like a dream,” Weidenhofer said.
Bambas wants to travel to see his brother and pick up golf again. As for work, he is not yet leaving his cashier post.
“I’ll probably work another month or two and wrap things up,” he said.
___
Associated Press reporter Corey Williams in West Bloomfield, Michigan, contributed to this story.