Army veteran Ed Bambas has received support from over 61,000 strangers who have donated nearly $2 million to help him retire. The donations mean he will finally be able to step away from his job as a cashier at a Meijer store in Brighton, Michigan.

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

For over 50 years, Bambas was happily married to his wife Joan, and they had two children. But when Joan fell ill, he became her full-time caretaker. She passed away seven years ago, and he didn't have enough to afford the medical bills.

In an interview with WXYZ-TV Detroit, Bambas said, "I try very hard to go to her gravesite every day and say hi... It helps me get through my day. It really does." With mounting debt, no pension, and no health insurance, he was forced to re-enter the workforce and became a cashier at Meijer.

Ed Bambas and his wife Joan. (Photo: Courtesy of Ed Bambas)

Samuel Weidenhofer heard about Bambas' story from a comment underneath one of his videos. So he immediately booked a flight to Michigan and teamed up with Detroit influencer Mike McKinstry to find Bambas.

"No 88-year-old in America should work because they need to, and that breaks my heart," Weidenhofer said.
Ed Bambas (left), Samuel Weidenhofer (right). (Photo: Courtesy of Samuel Weidenhofer)

Weidenhofer started a GoFundMe on behalf of Bambas, and in the span of a few days, it raised over $1.7 million. Tens of thousands of people donated so Bambas could finally retire.

Bambas had no idea how much money has been raised because he doesn't use a computer and doesn't own a smartphone. But what he did know is that there were kind strangers around the world rooting for him.

On December 5, 2025, Weidenhofer surprised Bambas with a huge check from GoFundMe worth $1,771,406. Bambas was brought to tears and deeply moved by the kindness from strangers.

Samuel Weidenhofer presenting Ed Bambas with a check worth $1,771,406 on December 6, 2025 in Michigan. (Photo: Courtesy of Samuel Weidenhofer)
Ed Bambas with tears in his eyes on December 5, 2025 in Michigan. (Photo: Courtesy of Samuel Weidenhofer)

Weidenhofer said he is setting up a "secure bank account or trust" for Bambas so the GoFundMe money stays protected. He explained that the funds will remain in GoFundMe until a beneficiary is added and the transfer can safely be made.

Over the past few days, Bambas' story has been featured across numerous local and national news outlets. It shows the true power of the internet and how it can be used to lift people up instead of tearing them down.

Bambas is reminding all of us that you can keep going even when there are tough days.

Watch the emotional moment Bambas was surprised with the $1.7 GoFundMe check here: