Strangers raise $1.7 million to help a Veteran who lost his Pension in 2012 and never stopped working
Ed Bambas looked after his sick wife for almost 10 years and rising medical bills after she died forced him back into full time work. An 88 year old US army veteran who has been putting in full shifts at a grocery store just to stay afloat is about to receive more than $1.7m to help him finally retire.
His story exploded online after Australian influencer Samuel Weidenhofer posted a video that showed Bambas talking openly about the financial pressure he has been under.
The video has gathered more than 269000 likes on Facebook and shows Bambas explaining that he retired from General Motors in 1999. He said the stability he counted on vanished in 2012 when the company went bankrupt and he lost his pension along with his healthcare coverage.
That loss hit especially hard because his wife was already very sick. She died seven years ago and he was left with only $10000 of his life insurance.
He tears up as he says “So I sold my house, sold the property I had, we made it through.” Weidenhofer often uses his platform to help people in tough situations and set up a GoFundMe page after meeting Bambas.
Bambas’s son Michael said he had no idea his dad had gone viral until messages began rolling in. Speaking to NBC News he said his dad had struggled deeply after losing his mother. Michael said “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.” He added “He took care of my mum for almost 10 years as her primary caretaker.”
Medical bills pushed Bambas back into the workforce and he has been doing eight hour shifts five days a week for five years. Meijer the Michigan grocery store where he works said he brings warmth to customers and that it will offer more support given everything happening.
Weidenhofer plans to present the money to Bambas later today. Michael said the donations mean his dad can start living for himself. He said “I don’t know how to thank everyone for what they’re doing for my dad. It’s just amazing.”
Watch as 88-year-old Ed Bambas receives more than $1.7 million. Social media influencer Samuel Weidenhofer started the fundraiser to help Bambas, a Detroit grocery store worker, retire with dignity. pic.twitter.com/8YAjh7OMgT
— Max Reinhart (@Max_DetroitNews) December 5, 2025