'Oh, my God' _ 88-year-old Michigan grocery cashier stunned by unexpected $1.7M donation

Brighton, Michigan Ed Bambas, an 88-year-old grocery store employee from Michigan, was recently handed a giant check for $1.7 million, a surprise gift resulting from a viral fundraising campaign. This campaign was initiated by Sam Weidenhofer, a 22-year-old Australian with a large social media following.

In an emotional moment, Bambas, wiping tears away, expressed his disbelief, saying, "No, no. Thank you. Oh, my God." The gift came after Weidenhofer, who has a social media reach of over 10 million followers, recorded a TikTok video about Bambas' situation.

Weidenhofer met Bambas at a Meijer store in Brighton, Michigan, just two weeks prior, where Bambas shared the reason he continues to work at his age. "I dont have enough income," Bambas explained, speaking about the financial challenges he faced following the death of his wife, Joan, in 2018. She had passed away after battling a chronic illness. The video, which was shared with Weidenhofer's 7.7 million TikTok followers, quickly went viral.

In response to Bambas' story, Weidenhofer launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for him. "His story is a stark reminder that too many of our seniors, especially veterans, face incredible challenges just to survive," Weidenhofer said. The GoFundMe campaign raised an astounding amount, with over 15,000 people contributing between $10 and $10,000 each.

"It means a terrible burden," Bambas said with a smile, joking about how he now feels obligated to personally thank each donor. "I have to find everybody and say, 'thank you.'" The generosity was overwhelming, and Bambas will be able to pay off $225,000 in debt thanks to the donations.

Bambas, who began working at Meijer at age 82, has become a familiar face at the store, where he has worked for the past six years. "I talk to everyone that comes through my line. It helps me cope with the loss of my wife," he shared. Bambas had always made an effort to share his life story with customers, especially those who he grew close to over time.

One of those customers, Lexi Wallace, who used to frequent the store before moving away, saw Bambas' story on Weidenhofer's social media page and was moved to reach out. "I thought his name was Bob. He never corrected me," Wallace recalled fondly. "I loved seeing him at Meijer."

As for the future, Bambas plans to use his newfound wealth to clear his debts and travel. He also intends to pick up golf again. Despite the generous windfall, Bambas isn't ready to retire just yet. "Ill probably work another month or two and then shut things down," he said.

For now, the 88-year-old continues to serve his customers with a smile, grateful for the unexpected kindness he has received.

Author: Noah Whitman