An 88-year-old Army veteran working full-time as a grocery store cashier will receive nearly $1.5 million in a surprise presentation Friday after his story touched hearts across the globe.
Ed Bambas has been working 40-hour weeks at a Meijer supermarket in Brighton, Michigan, standing on his feet for over eight hours daily just to make ends meet.
His financial struggles began after losing his pension and facing devastating medical bills from his late wife’s illness.
The heartwarming turn of events started when Australian influencer Samuel Wiedenhofer encountered Bambas at the grocery store where he works.
After hearing the veteran’s story, Wiedenhofer shared it on social media and launched a GoFundMe campaign Monday.
The response has been overwhelming.
As of Wednesday night, the fundraiser has collected over $1.443 million from nearly 50,000 donations and more than 36,000 supporters worldwide.
Bambas retired from General Motors in 1999 after years of service.
He had built a comfortable life with his wife Joan, with whom he shared over 50 years of marriage.
Everything changed in 2012 when General Motors declared bankruptcy.
The company’s financial collapse wiped out his pension, leaving the veteran without the retirement security he had earned.
The situation worsened when Joan fell gravely ill.
Medical expenses mounted rapidly, forcing the couple to sell their home and property just to survive.
“The thing that hurt me the most was when my wife was really sick and when they took the pension, they also took the health care coverage and all but $10,000 of my life insurance,” Ed said in the viral video.
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Joan passed away seven years ago. With no pension and depleted savings, Ed had no alternative but to return to the workforce at age 81.
For the past five years, he has worked at the Meijer location 45 miles west of Detroit. The father of two has been grateful for his health, despite the physical demands of the job.
“I’m fortunate God gave me a good enough body to be strong enough to stand here for eight, eight and a half hours a day,” Ed told WXYZ.
The fundraiser has attracted donations from people across the country and around the world.
Notable contributors include singers Charlie Puth and Russell Dickerson, who were moved by the veteran’s story, according to the New York Post.
Michael Bambas, Ed’s 63-year-old son, said his father remains unaware of the massive sum waiting for him.
The veteran knows about the fundraiser but has no concept of how much money has been raised.
“He hasn’t fully grasped what’s going on,” Michael said Wednesday night.
“He has no idea how much money is in the account. He has no clue what’s there. It’s going to be total shock to him.”
Michael described his father as overwhelmed by the generosity shown by strangers worldwide. The viral video appears to have struck a chord with people who can relate to financial struggles and admire those who persevere through hardship.
“Holy crap!” Michael exclaimed upon learning the total had surpassed $1.4 million.
“It’s just amazing. Both of us are pretty much amazed at how this affected people around the world.”
A special ceremony has been planned for Friday evening at Ed’s workplace.
He will receive an account containing the fundraiser proceeds in what promises to be an emotional moment.
