Hook paragraph: A TikTok star turned philanthropist has handed an 88‑year‑old grocery‑store worker a check worth $1.77 million.
The Man Behind the Money
Ed Bambas, 88, works full‑time at a Meijer store outside Detroit. He retired from General Motors in 1999, but the company’s 2012 bankruptcy stripped him of his pension and health‑care coverage. “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 like $10,000 of my life insurance,” he told the camera.
He sold his house and the property he and his wife owned to keep going. His wife died seven years ago, and since then he has had to work eight hours a day, five days a week to survive.
In 2012, the old General Motors offered lump‑sum payments to about 42,000 retirees and their surviving beneficiaries to cut 24 percent from its U.S. pension obligation, NBC News reported. NBC Chicago has not confirmed whether Bambas was among those recipients.
The TikTok Fundraiser
Influencer Samuel Weidenhofer, who travels the world to help those in need, visited the Brighton Meijer store and recorded a video for his 7.7 million TikTok followers. The clip showed Bambas explaining why he still works and the hardships he has faced.
After a 26‑year‑old customer, Lexi Wallace, posted a message on Weidenhofer’s Facebook page asking him to find the “beloved grocery store worker,” the influencer launched a GoFundMe campaign. The response was overwhelming: more than 15,000 people donated between $10 and $10,000. In its first day the fundraiser raised over $800,000; by Friday it had climbed to more than $1.7 million.
The Surprise
Weidenhofer met Bambas again on Friday and revealed the total amount raised. “If you want, you will be able to retire, because we’ve raised you $1.77 million,” he said. Bambas wiped away tears and sniffles. “Thank you. Oh, my God,” he replied. “It’s something that dreams are made of, trust me.”
Bambas said he will probably work another month or two before shutting down his cashier position.
Key Takeaways
- Ed Bambas received a $1.77 million check from a TikTok‑driven GoFundMe campaign.
- The fundraiser was sparked by a message from a former Meijer customer and supported by over 15,000 donors.
- Bambas plans to continue working for a short time before retiring.
The story shows how a viral social‑media campaign can transform a single life, turning an 88‑year‑old grocery‑store employee into a millionaire overnight.
