An 88-year-old Army veteran from Michigan, Ed Bambas, is set to receive over $1.5 million after a GoFundMe campaign gained significant traction. The fundraiser was initiated by Australian influencer Samuel Weidenhofer, who discovered Bambas while filming in Detroit. Upon meeting Bambas, Weidenhofer learned about the veteran’s financial difficulties, including the loss of his pension when his former employer went bankrupt in 2012 and the burden of medical bills following his wife’s illness and subsequent passing.
Bambas, who has been working full time at a Meijer grocery store in Brighton for the past five and a half years, shared his struggles, which included selling his home to make ends meet. Despite his efforts, he was unable to secure sufficient income for his living expenses. Weidenhofer decided to help by creating a GoFundMe page for Bambas, which quickly attracted donations from thousands of supporters.
As of Thursday morning, the campaign had surpassed $1.5 million. Weidenhofer plans to present the funds to Bambas in a ceremony that is currently being arranged. Bambas’s son, Michael, mentioned that his father is unaware of the total amount raised as he does not use the internet.
- Why it matters: This story highlights issues of financial insecurity among seniors and the impact of community support in addressing personal crises.
- This situation raises awareness about the challenges many veterans face post-service and the importance of pension protection.
- The latest: A ceremony is planned to present the funds to Ed Bambas, although specific details are still being finalized.
Source: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/15m-raised-88-year-old-army-vet-viral-video-showed-working-grocery-sto-rcna247384
Source: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/15m-raised-88-year-old-army-vet-viral-video-showed-working-grocery-sto-rcna247384