世界各地的陌生人捐赠超过150万美元帮助一位88岁的退伍军人从密歇根超市的工作中退休。
88岁的埃德·班巴斯(Ed Bambas)在一个陌生人在魏登霍夫的一个视频的评论区分享了他的故事后，引起了澳大利亚社交媒体影响者萨姆·魏登霍夫的注意。
班巴斯告诉美国广播公司底特律站WXYZ近十年前，他的妻子因长期患病去世，他不得不重返工作岗位，他的前雇主取消了他的养老金。
“一旦我的妻子去世，我就没有足够的收入来支付[我的家]或所有其他因妻子生病而积累的账单，”班巴斯说。
Bambas说，他先是在一家五金店工作，然后在Meijer杂货店担任收银员，目前在那里工作。
在一个抖音视频这件事在网上疯传，当魏登霍费尔走近班巴斯，介绍自己，询问他的故事，然后给他400美元小费，让他大吃一惊。
“我想分享你的故事，你知道，让人们帮助你退休，”Weidenhofer在视频中告诉Bambas，该视频自周二发布以来已有超过700万次点击。
“好吧，谢谢你，”情绪激动的Bambas在视频中说，他哭了起来。
Bambas还告诉Weidenhofer，他每周工作40个小时，并有一个梦想，“过上一点点[他]希望的生活。”
魏登霍夫告诉WXYZBambas的故事激励他不仅从澳大利亚飞了9000多英里来见他，而且还建立了一个在线筹款活动帮助他退休。
该筹款活动已经积累了超过150万美元，预计将帮助Bambas偿还债务并第二次退休。
魏登霍夫告诉WXYZ，“美国的88岁老人不应该因为需要而工作，这让我很伤心。”
“我只是想给他一个退役的机会，”他补充道。“你知道，至少有一些安慰。”
Strangers donate over $1.5 million to help 88-year-old veteran retire
Strangers around the world havedonatedover $1.5 million to help an 88-year-old veteran retire from a job at a Michigan supermarket.
Ed Bambas, 88, caught the attention of Australian social media influencer Sam Weidenhofer after a stranger shared his story in the comments section of one of Weidenhofer's videos.
Bambas told ABC Detroit stationWXYZthat he had to return to work nearly a decade ago after his wife died following a long illness, and his former employer eliminated his pension.
"Once my wife died, I didn't have enough income to pay for [my home] or all the other bills I had accumulated because of my wife's illness," Bambas said.
Bambas said he first went to work for a hardware store and then moved to a cashier position at a Meijer grocery store, where he currently works.
In aTikTok videothat has since gone viral, Bambas can be seen working his shift when Weidenhofer approaches, introduces himself, asks Bambas about his story and then surprises him with a $400 tip.
"I'd like to share your story and you know, get people to help you retire," Weidenhofer tells Bambas in the video, which has racked up more than 7 million views since it was posted on Tuesday.
"Well, thank you," an emotional Bambas says in the video as he breaks into tears.
Bambas also tells Weidenhofer that he works 40 hours per week and has a dream to, "Live a little, somewhat, of the life [he] was hoping for."
Weidenhofer toldWXYZthat Bambas' story inspired him to not only fly over 9,000 miles from Australia to meet with him, but to also set up an online fundraiserto help him retire.
The fundraiser has already accrued more than $1.5 million and is expected to help Bambas pay off debts and retire a second time.
Weidenhofer toldWXYZ, "No 88-year-old in America should have to work because they need to, and that breaks my heart."
"I just wanted to give him a chance to retire," he added. "You know, at least have some comfort."
