CRBC News
Politics
Conflict
Security
Economy
Science
Technology
Environment
Health
Culture
Society
Lifestyle
Society

Viral TikTok Raises Nearly $1.8M, Lets 88‑Year‑Old Army Veteran Finally Retire

12:28 AM, 12/07/2025

After a chance meeting at a Meijer supermarket, Australian influencer Sam Wetenhoeffer posted a TikTok of 88‑year‑old Army veteran Ed Bambas, who still worked full time after losing his pension. The clip drew over 10 million views and spurred a GoFundMe campaign that raised nearly $1.8 million. Wetenhoeffer presented the funds to a stunned Bambas, who said he could now retire and wished his late wife could witness the moment.

Viral Video and Crowd Donations Give 88‑Year‑Old Veteran a New Start

An 88‑year‑old Army veteran, Ed Bambas of Michigan, has been given the opportunity to stop working full time after a viral TikTok clip and a global crowdfunding effort raised nearly $1.8 million on his behalf.

The footage was filmed and posted by Australian "positivity influencer" Sam Wetenhoeffer during what he described as a "US Kindness Tour" over the Christmas period. While shopping at a Meijer supermarket, Wetenhoeffer struck up a conversation with Bambas, who was working the checkout line.

Bambas explained that he still worked five days a week, eight hours a day because he had lost the pension he had expected and needed the income to make ends meet. He also shared that his wife had died seven years earlier and that he had been trying to rebuild his life since her passing.

"I work five days a week, eight hours a day," Bambas said. "Because I don’t have enough income."

When asked about his dream, Bambas replied, "Live a little — somewhat the life I was hoping for." Wetenhoeffer posted the exchange to TikTok; the clip attracted more than 10 million views and prompted him to launch a GoFundMe campaign for Bambas.

Donations poured in, raising nearly $1.8 million — one of the largest single‑beneficiary fundraisers in GoFundMe history. Wetenhoeffer later presented Bambas with the check and told him, "If you want, you will be able to retire." A visibly stunned Bambas said he wished his late wife could see the moment and called the outcome "something dreams are made of."

The story and video have been shared by major outlets including CNN, and the original report appeared on Mediaite.

Key facts: Ed Bambas, 88, Army veteran; lost expected pension; worked full time as a Meijer cashier; viral TikTok (10M+ views); GoFundMe raised nearly $1.8M; funds now allow him to retire.

Similar Articles

Trending

Viral TikTok Raises Nearly $1.8M, Lets 88‑Year‑Old Army Veteran Finally Retire - CRBC News