An 88-year-old US army veteran, forced to work full-time at a grocery store, is set to receive a life-changing sum of over $1.7 million (£1.2 million) to finally retire, following a viral social media campaign.
A Life of Care and Hardship
The story of Ed Bambas captured global attention after Australian influencer Samuel Weidenhofer shared a poignant video of him discussing his financial plight. In the clip, which amassed over 269,000 likes on Facebook, Bambas explained his difficult journey.
He retired from General Motors in 1999 but faced devastating losses when the company went bankrupt in 2012, wiping out his pension. Compounding the crisis, he lost his healthcare coverage just as his wife fell ill. After caring for her as her primary caretaker for nearly a decade, she passed away seven years ago.
"So I sold my house, sold the property I had, we made it through," a tearful Bambas recounted in the video, revealing he was left with just $10,000 (£7,500) from his life insurance.
From Viral Moment to Generous Response
Moved by Bambas's story, Samuel Weidenhofer, known for using his platform to aid those in need, swiftly established a GoFundMe page. The public response was immediate and overwhelming, quickly raising the seven-figure sum.
Bambas's son, Michael, told Sky News's sister network NBC that he was unaware his father had gone viral until messages from friends and family poured in. He described how his dad had been lost after his mother's death. "Right after my mum passed away, I'd go over to the house and I'd find him basically walking around in circles, not knowing what to do with himself," Michael said.
With mounting medical bills, Ed Bambas returned to work, taking on eight-hour shifts, five days a week, at a Meijer supermarket in Michigan for the past five years. The store described him as a valued team member who brings joy and warmth to customers and stated it would offer him additional support.
A New Chapter and Overwhelming Gratitude
Weidenhofer planned to present the funds to Bambas at a ceremony on Friday 5 December 2025. For his family, the extraordinary generosity marks the beginning of a new, secure chapter.
"The money raised means my dad can start living and doing things for himself," Michael said, expressing profound thanks. "I don't know how to thank everyone for what they're doing for my dad. It's just amazing."
This remarkable act of collective kindness ensures that a veteran who dedicated years to caring for his loved one and persevered through financial hardship can now enjoy a well-deserved retirement.
