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Associated Press

A young man from Australia with a huge social media following has given an 88-year-old US supermarket worker the gift of retirement.
Ed Bambas from Michigan was presented with an oversized cheque for US$1.7 million on Friday – the result of an extraordinary online fundraising drive.
“No, no,” Bambas said, wiping away tears in front of reporters. “Thank you. Oh, my God.”
Sam Weidenhofer, 22, from Melbourne, is using his online influence to spread kindness – and financial support – during a visit to the United States.

@itssozer 88 year old veteran still working.. 😭❤️ (donate in B1O) #love #kind #veteran ♬ original sound - Samuel Weidenhofer

He met Bambas at a Meijer store in Brighton, southeastern Michigan, about a fortnight ago, filming a TikTok video for his 7.7 million followers in which the General Motors retiree explained why he continues to work as he nears 90, following the death of his wife, Joan, after a long illness in 2018.
“I don’t have enough income,” Bambas said in the video.
Weidenhofer responded by launching a GoFundMe appeal, urging people around the world to help Bambas.
“His story is a stark reminder that too many of our seniors, especially veterans, face incredible challenges just to survive,” said Weidenhofer, whose combined online audience exceeds 10 million.
I have to find everybody and say, ‘thank you’
Ed Bambas, 88
The response was extraordinary: more than 15,000 people made donations ranging from US$15 to US$10,000.
“It means a terrible burden,” Bambas jokingly told reporters. “I have to find everybody and say, ‘thank you.’”
Bambas began working at Meijer, a retail chain selling groceries, clothing and other goods, when he was 82.
“I talk to everybody that came through my cashier line because it helped me not become despondent on her loss. … I gave them a piece of my life story,” he said, referring to his wife.
Lexi Wallace, 26, a former regular customer who has since moved away, went on to Weidenhofer’s Facebook page and encouraged him to locate Bambas.
“I thought his name was Bob. He never corrected me,” Wallace said. “I would love going to Meijer to see him.”
Weidenhofer said the windfall will enable Bambas to clear about US$225,000 in debt, with the rest for him to use as he wishes.
“It feels like a dream,” Weidenhofer said.
Bambas now hopes to visit his brother and return to golf. As for work, he’s not quite ready to hang up his lanyard.
“I’ll probably work another month or two and shut things down,” he said.


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Australian influencer Sam Weidenhofer (right) with 88-year-old US supermarket worker Ed Bambas from Michigan. Photo: Instagram/itssozer

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Ed Bambas took a cashier job at 82 to cope with grief and bills after his wife’s death, but a stranger’s kindness has changed everything


Ed Bambas took a cashier job at 82 to cope with grief and bills after his wife’s death, but a stranger’s kindness has changed everything.
