Overview
- Ed Bambas received an oversized $1.7 million check Friday at Foguth Financial Group in Brighton as the online total approached $1.8 million.
- Australian creator Sam Weidenhofer launched the GoFundMe after filming a brief TikTok at the Meijer checkout, acting on a tip from former regular customer Lexi Wallace.
- Organizers and advisors say the donations will be managed through a trust to safeguard the funds and help cover living costs and care.
- Bambas says he returned to work years after retiring from General Motors, citing the loss of his pension and health coverage and debts from his late wife's illness.
- He expects to work a little longer while arrangements are finalized, plans to clear debts and visit his brother, and aims to retire with some comfort.