More than $1.7 million has been raised to help an Army veteran retire after his story went viral online and a GoFundMe drew thousands of donations from strangers.
Australian social media influencer Sam Weidenhofer first learned about Edmund Bambas, 88, from a comment on one of his videos. Weidenhofer then worked with influencer Mike McKinstry to track the veteran down at the Meijer supermarket in Brighton, Michigan, where he works, General Motors in 1999, but everything changed when the automaker filed for bankruptcy years later.
"I retired from General Motors in [1999]," Bambas says. "In 2012, they went bankrupt, and they took my pension away from me."
The veteran said his financial situation worsened when his wife became seriously ill.
"The thing that hurt me the most was my wife was real sick, and when they took the pension, they also took the health care coverage and all but $10,000 of my life insurance," Bambas said, "So, I sold the house, sold the property I had and we made it through."
Bambas' wife died seven years ago, and he said he has been trying to stay afloat ever since.
"I work five days a week, eight hours a day," Bambas said.
When asked what his dream would be, the veteran answered, "Live somewhat the life I was hoping for."
A spokesperson for General Motors told FOX Business in an email that in 2012, the automaker's salaried retirees who were receiving monthly pension payments were given several options. These included "continuation of monthly lifetime payments or a lump sum payout, if they preferred."
"Mr. Bambas’ personal story is deeply moving, and it’s wonderful to see the outpouring of support for him," the spokesperson said. "We are grateful for what he has contributed to GM and to our country. … Additionally, starting in 2008, retirees older than 65 receive a $300 monthly lifetime payment for supplemental Medicare coverage."