Viral story of 88-year-old veteran inspires nationwide campaign to help struggling vets
May 8-As Military Appreciation Month brings renewed attention to America's veterans, content creator Samuel Weidenhofer has launched a nationwide campaign to support former service members in need - inspired by an 88-year-old veteran whose story resonated with millions online.
The mission began with Ed Bambas, a Michigan veteran who was still working at 88 when Weidenhofer shared his story on social media in December. People across the country rallied around Bambas, donating enough money to help him retire and ease the financial burden he had carried late into life.
Bambas said he was forced to continue working after losing his pension following General Motors' 2012 bankruptcy. Bambas, a U.S. Army veteran who served in the military in 1966, became a viral example of the financial struggles some veterans and older adults continue to face long after their service ends.
Now, Bambas is paying that kindness forward, beginning in his home state of Michigan.
Inspired by the overwhelming support he received, Bambas is contributing $1,000 toward each veteran's story featured in Weidenhofer's new '50 days, 50 states, 50 veterans' campaign, which has the content creator traveling across America during Military Appreciation Month to spotlight veterans and families facing hardship. GoFundMe and apparel company True Classic have also each pledged $50,000 to the initiative, helping expand support for veterans featured throughout the nationwide effort.
The campaign aims to raise $10 million over 50 days and has Weidenhofer traveling across America during Military Appreciation Month to spotlight veterans and families facing financial hardship, housing instability and medical struggles.
Among those already featured is 90-year-old veteran Charles Deal of Texas, who is struggling to remain in the home where he cared for his younger brother before his death. Because Weidenhofer could not make it to Texas in person, country singer Coffey Anderson visited Deal on his behalf while Weidenhofer joined by video to surprise him and share his story online.
After informing the veteran of the news, Anderson played his song dedicated to those who serve "Mr. Red, White and Blue" for Deal on his porch.
His fundraiser surpassed $100,000 in less than 24 hours and has since raised more than $181,000 toward a $190,000 goal.
Another story in the campaign highlights Letouer Turner of Illinois, an Army veteran with a disability who served a 15-month deployment in Iraq as a gunner and is now facing foreclosure on his home amid complications tied to a disabled veterans property tax exemption.
His fundraiser has raised more than $38,000 toward a $50,000 goal to date.
In Michigan, the campaign is also helping 86-year-old Elaine Dorland, the widow of a Marine veteran, who still works a physically demanding cleaning job despite serious health problems.
Donations for Dorland surpassed $70,000 within hours of her story being posted online and have continued climbing as supporters rally to help her retire. Her fundraiser has raised more than $178,000 toward a $190,000 goal.
According to the fundraiser page, the goal is "to ensure that 50 veterans and/or their families are financially secure for life."
Weidenhofer's message also carries broad national reach through his combined social media following of more than 15 million people across TikTok, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube, where his videos often spotlight charitable giving and community support efforts.
People interested in supporting veterans featured in the campaign can visit GoFundMe's 'For Your Service: 50 Veterans, 50 States' page at gofundme.com/communities/for-your-service-50-veterans-50-states.
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