"The 88-year-old Michigan grocery worker was handed an oversized check for $1.7 million Friday, the result of a remarkable fundraising campaign by a young Australian man with an extraordinary following on social media. "No, no," Bambas said, wiping tears and sniffles in front of reporters. "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 southeastern 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, after a chronic illness in 2018."
"The response was dizzying: More than 15,000 people have pitched in with donations ranging from $10 to $10,000. "It means a terrible burden," Bambas jokingly told reporters. "I have to find everybody and say, 'thank you.'" He said he started working at Meijer, a big-box store with groceries, clothes and other items, at age 82. "I talk to everybody that came through my cashier line because it helped me not become despondent on her loss. ... I gave them a piece of my life story," Bambas said, referring to his wife."
Ed Bambas, an 88-year-old Michigan grocery worker and General Motors retiree, received an oversized $1.7 million check after a viral online fundraiser. Sam Weidenhofer, a 22-year-old Australian influencer with millions of followers, recorded a TikTok video after meeting Bambas and learning he continued working following his wife's death because of insufficient income. More than 15,000 donors contributed amounts ranging from $10 to $10,000. Bambas started working at age 82 and said engaging with customers helped him cope with grief. The donations aim to ease a significant financial and emotional burden for him.
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