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Strangers Fund Veteran's Retirement with $1.7M
6 Dec, 2025
Summary
- An 88-year-old Army veteran lost his pension after GM's bankruptcy.
- His wife's illness and healthcare costs led him to sell his home.
- A viral video led to over $1.7 million in donations for his retirement.
An 88-year-old Army veteran, Edmund Bambas, who served in 1966, faced significant hardship after his pension from General Motors was lost in 2012 following the company's bankruptcy. Compounding his difficulties, his wife became seriously ill, leading to substantial medical expenses and the loss of his healthcare coverage. He was forced to sell his home and property to manage the situation.
His plight was brought to light when social media influencers Sam Weidenhofer and Mike McKinstry encountered him working at a Meijer supermarket. A video capturing their interaction, where Bambas explained his circumstances, quickly went viral. The video highlighted his dream to "live somewhat the life I was hoping for" and his emotional reaction to receiving a $400 tip.
Following the video's widespread impact, a GoFundMe campaign was launched to support Bambas. The fundraiser garnered an overwhelming response, with over 62,000 donations contributing to more than $1.7 million raised. This remarkable outpouring of generosity from strangers is now enabling the veteran to retire comfortably, fulfilling his long-held aspirations.
