Donations to Help James Robertson, Man Who Walks 21 Miles a Day for Work, Tops $200K in 2 Days; Donors Want to Help Him Retire
Donations to a gofundme campaign that started out as a simple gesture to help buy a car for James Robertson, 56, a Detroit man who's been walking 21 miles a day to get to work, topped more than $200,000 in just two days since it was established. And the fund is showing no signs of slowing down as some well-wishers push to help Robertson retire.
Wayne State University student, Evan Leedy, 19, of Macomb Township in Michigan, was moved to launch the gofundme campaign to help Robertson after reading a story in Sunday's Detroit Free Press by Bill Laitner about Robertson's arduous commute to work, and it turns out he wasn't alone.
The campaign for Robertson, who has a perfect attendance record at Schain Mold & Engineering in Rochester Hills, quickly broke the $5,000 goal on Sunday. And as word of Robertson's story and the fund to help him spread on social media, giving to Robertson's cause went viral.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
Inspired by his dedication and hard work, some donors like Melissa Lammey noted that she wants people to keep giving to the fund to help Robertson retire.
"I hope enough is raised for you to have a comfortable retirement, just because. It isn't often that so many people pull together to help another out. Thanks, Evan, for giving me the opportunity to be involved in such a good deed," wrote Lammey on the campaign's page.
"I donated, because he is the man that many, many more men and women should strive to be," noted donor Amy Wright.
In an update on the fund Tuesday, Leedy thanked everyone who has donated to Robertson's cause and explained that he finally met with Robertson Monday night and is now working with him to set up a professional team to manage the money at his request.
"What an incredible journey. James is an amazing guy and it was so great meeting him last night. Blake Pollock and myself are working on creating a board/committee to handle the money that is raised. Attorneys, financial advisors, etc., are all coming into play. We are making sure to consider every angle of this fundraiser. It is so exciting that every penny that is being raised is going to James to help him with whatever he needs in life. Thank you all for your continued donations, kind words, and support," he said.
