Sam Wiedenhofer, a 22‑year‑old Australian influencer, is on what he calls his “US Kindness Tour” that runs through Christmas. While travelling across America, he stopped at a Meijer super‑market in Brighton, Michigan. There he met 88‑year‑old Army vet Ed Bambas, whose story quickly went viral and has already raised more than $1.7 million for him.
Wiedenhofer’s only expectation was to show how impressive it is that an octogenarian still works in a grocery store. “All I knew was that he was a man in his 80s and he was working at the grocery store,” he told The Post that Thursday night as he made the trip from Toronto back to Detroit to meet Bambas.
During a video posted on Instagram on Monday, Bambas tearfully explained that after retiring from General Motors in 1999, the company went bankrupt in 2012, wiping out his pension and health‑insurance. He lost his wife’s life‑insurance, too. After Joan’s death seven years ago, he had no choice but to take a full‑time cashier job to survive, even though he had already sold his home and other property to keep afloat.
Moved by the veteran’s plight, Wiedenhofer started a GoFundMe that day. As of Friday morning, the fundraiser had exceeded $1.718 million – a figure the influencer described as unprecedented. “It’s a record for sure,” he said. “This is crazy at the moment. All the support towards Ed, it’s unbelievable. I’m just so grateful and it’s awesome that people feel a part of something bigger than a video.”
The Melbourne‑based positivity champion, whose aunt’s suicide spurred his global outreach, first heard of Bambas when a follower listed the man’s name, age and job in a video comment. He then headed to the Michigan supermarket, wandered around for about 45 miles west of Detroit, and eventually found the 88‑year‑old cashier who had been working there for nearly six years. Wiedenhofer approached him, filmed the exchange, and handed him a $400 tip as a gesture of appreciation.
Bambas shared that no veteran should ever have to keep working at 88. “Nobody should have to work at 88, especially someone who is a veteran,” he said. “His story is relatable and I think that’s why so many people love him – they feel like he’s a member of their family. He’s just the most beautiful person and I think it’s awesome that we can share his story.”
Wiedenhofer plans to hand the funds to Bambas in a trust during a surprise celebration on Friday night, a moment the veteran has yet to experience. “I think it’s going to mean a lot,” the influencer said. “This is my purpose – to help people and to try and leave as much of an impact on this world as I can. I’m so grateful to such an amazing community, because thanks to them, we’re able to change lives like Ed.”
Once the money is transferred, the GoFundMe page will be closed and the influencer will turn his attention to bringing hope to others in need.
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