Australian influencer Sam Wiedenhofer was traveling across America on a mission to spread kindness when he stepped into a Michigan supermarket and met Army veteran Ed Bambas – whose heartbreaking story sparked a wave of donations that has now surpassed $1.7 million.
Wiedenhofer, 22, who is on a US Kindness Tour through Christmas, walked into a Meijer grocery store in Brighton on Nov. 25, unaware that the 88-year-old employee would so candidly lay bare his crushing grief and financial woes in a now-viral video that has rallied the internet to help him retire.
“All I knew was that he was a man in his 80s and he was working at the grocery store,” the content creator told The Post Thursday night while traveling from Toronto, Canada, back to Detroit to meet with Bambas.
“I didn’t know he was struggling. I just wanted to highlight how amazing he was for working at that age. I never thought this would happen.”
In the video shared to Instagram Monday, the senior tearfully revealed that he had been forced to work full-time as a cashier to make ends meet after losing his pension and his wife, whose medical expenses left him buried in debt.
Moved by the story, Wiedenhofer launched a GoFundMe on Monday, which has since raised over $1.718 million as of Friday morning
“It’s a record for sure,” Wiedenhofer exclaimed.
“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 positivity influencer – whose aunt’s tragic suicide inspired him to spread kindness globally – said he first learned of Bambas when a follower commented his name, age and workplace on a video.
He then went to Michigan and roamed the supermarket, about 45 miles west of Detroit, until he found the octogenarian cashier of nearly six years, then walked up and started filming.
Bambas told Wiedenhofer that he retired from General Motors in 1999 – only for the company to go bankrupt in 2012 and wipe out his pension and health insurance. His beloved wife of over 50 years then become gravely ill at the same time, according to the touching video.
The crushing double blow left him selling his home and property just to “make it through.”
“The thing that hurt me the most was when my wife was really 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 in the video, while fighting back tears.
After his wife, Joan, died seven years ago, he had no choice but to return to a grueling 40-hour workweek.
“Nobody should have to work at 88, especially someone who is a veteran,” said the digital personality, who handed Bambas a $400 tip after their heartwarming meeting.
“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 will present the life-changing sum to Bambas – who remains unaware of the still-growing, massive payout – in a trust during a private surprise celebration Friday night.
“I think it’s going to mean a lot,” he added.
“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 funds are handed over, the GoFundMe will be paused as the influencer continues to shine a light on others in need.
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