Retirement Now Possible For 88-Year-Old Army Vet After Influencer Surprises Him With Huge Check

Jennifer Bowers Bahney Dec 6th, 2025, 4:41 pm

An 88-year-old army veteran received the surprise of a lifetime from strangers around the world thanks to a viral TikTok video that raised $1.8 million for him.

The video was recorded and shared by Australian “positivity influencer” Sam Wetenhoeffer , who was on what he called a “US Kindness Tour” through the Christmas holiday.

Wetenhoeffer met Ed Bambas from Michigan, who was working the checkout line at a Meijer supermarket. When asked why Bambas was still working at 88 years old, he said he had no choice but to work full-time as a cashier to make ends meet after losing his pension.

The two struck up a rapport, with Ed explaining that

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