Good Samaritan Raises Over $100,000 For Retirement Fund Of 82-Year-Old Store Worker

Jan 09, 2023 by apost team

Retirement for most means finally being able to punch out of work and enjoy some years on the porch relaxing. Some dream of long, lazy afternoons spent fishing or days with grandchildren, all finally uninterrupted by the work day. There would be no more early morning, no more stale break room coffee, no more meetings, and instead a wealth of time to do whatever hobbies or pursuits one had put off in earlier years.

However, steady increases in the cost of living and healthcare, as well as the modern demands of retirement have resulted in an almost inaccessible goal. Most workers simply cannot afford to retire in their 60s as they once thought they were going to. People are having to work longer into their golden years and put off retiring potentially forever. 

Despite this bleak reality, some folks are taking notice of this sacrifice that the elders in our community are having to make, despite their best efforts. In December 2022, one TikTok user was shopping at a Walmart in Maryland when he saw that the man ringing up his purchases was, to put it politely, older than he expected. The social media user introduced the internet to 82-year-old Butch who was "still putting in work" at the register. He explained to the gentleman how other users of the social media site had used their following and reach to fund a retirement nest egg almost overnight for other workers in similar circumstances as him. Butch smiled earnestly, not knowing at the time that such a campaign would be shortly launched on his behalf.

The Original Poster (OP) organized a GoFundMe page for Butch, just as he had explained other TikTokers had done. In the description, he explained his motivation to intervene with the older gentleman. He wrote: "I was shopping at Walmart the other day, and was waited on by an 82yr old man named Butch … I was astounded seeing this little older man still grinding. Working 8 to 9 hour shifts." It was then that OP recalled how he'd seen other TikTokers take matters into their own hands. He added:

"Recently (I'd seen) a gofundme for a 82 yr old lady working at Walmart … they raised money for her to retire for good. I wanted to help this Navy Veteran to live the remainder of his years traveling to see his kids in Florida." 

OP then called upon the internet to give what they could to help Butch. He said he hoped that whatever money they could raise would "get him off his feet … (and allow him to) do the things he would love to do that he may not be able to for financial reasons." Clearly, OP recognized that Butch wasn't working just for the fun of it, but rather out of sheer necessity.

He clarified that "every penny will go to Butch. Janette, the daughter of Butch, has confirmed that I can withdraw the funds on behalf of her father ... Once that happens, I will be hand delivering Warren Marion (Butch) a cashier check for the full amount given after the Gofundme fee is subtracted." OP and everyone ended up collecting over $100,000, which was presented to a flabbergasted Butch via a comically large check. It's heartwarming to see a community come together for one of its deserving seniors.

apost.com

What's something special you've done for an elder in your community? Let us know — and be sure to pass this article on to friends and family, as well as any TikTok fans!