Watch this uplifting short film by clicking here as 88-year-old parishioner of Saint Patrick in Brighton, Ed Bambas, pictured above, discovers that kindly strangers from around the globe have raised over $1.7 million to fund his well-deserved retirement. Deo gratias.
“I'm so grateful that people from all over the world were moved with compassion by Ed's story to help him like this,” says Father Mathias Thelen, Pastor of Saint Patrick, December 11.
“May this unexpected gift to a hardworking and faith-filled man be a reminder to us that God is faithful and will give those who trust in him rest from their labors.”
Ed’s remarkable story began his plight was highlighted to the Australian social media influencers, Sam Weidenhofer, also pictured above. Moved by Ed’s story, Sam then traveled to Brighton to meet Ed at the local Meijer grocery store where he works.
22-year-old Sam then recorded a TikTok video for his 7.7 million followers in which Ed, a former General Motors retiree, explained why he’s still working following the death of his late wife, Joan, after a chronic illness in 2018. RIP.
Weidenhofer in turn launched an online GoFundMe drive, urging people to help Ed. The response was dizzying: More than 15,000 people pitched in with donations ranging from $10 to $10,000. The result? $1.77 million to pay for Ed's retirement.
So do watch, enjoy, and give thanks to God.
Credits: Additional reporting by Ed White, Associated Press. Film from Sam Weidenhofer @itssozer. Photograph Katy Kildee/Detroit News via AP