Samuel Weidenhofer is a self-described “kindness influencer,” known for surprising people in need through random acts of kindness for an audience of over 15 million people on platforms like Instagram and TikTok. He’s had countless experiences changing the lives of others and raising money with the support of dedicated followers.
But in December, when he helped 88-year-old veteran Ed Bambas, the kindness reached a scale he never imagined possible.
Weidenhofer introduced Bambas the way he normally would, highlighting the Michigan veteran’s life of service, ultimately resulting in the 88-year-old still working as a cashier at the supermarket Meijer.
Bambas had retired from General Motors in 1999 but returned to work nearly a decade ago after his wife died. Around the same time, he told ABC affiliate WXYZ, his employer cut his pension.
Bambas at his job at the supermarket. Photo courtesy of Samuel Weidenhofer/GoFundMe
“Despite everything, Ed shows up every day with quiet dignity, strength, and perseverance,” Weidenhofer wrote on a GoFundMe campaign for his new friend, Bambas. “His story is a stark reminder that too many of our seniors, especially veterans, face incredible challenges just to survive.”
The story struck a chord with viewers, and in just days, over 66,000 people donated more than $1.9 million to help Bambas finally retire.
“When Sam first came into my life, I thought he was just being kind to one old man working at a grocery store. I had no idea it would turn into something that would touch so many people,” Bambas told Good Good Good.
“The fundraiser changed my life, but what stayed with me even more was realizing how many strangers were willing to stop, listen to my story, and help. That’s when I started thinking this couldn’t just end with me.”
The transformation Bambas experienced ended up being a catalyst for something even bigger: A nationwide fundraiser to help 50 veterans in 50 states.
Weidenhofer (left) and Bambas (right) kick off the campaign. Photo courtesy of Samuel Bambas/Instagram
Weidenhofer and Bambas launched the campaign — For Your Service — on May 1 and have already raised over $1 million from 28,000 individual donors. They hope to eventually reach $10 million in total donations.
“When I first met Ed, the goal was just to help one person who deserved to feel supported. I don’t think any of us could have imagined that one video and one fundraiser would turn into this kind of movement,” Weidenhofer told Good Good Good.
“What means the most to me is that Ed didn’t just receive that generosity and move on; he wanted to pay it forward. That says everything about who he is. It’s a reminder that one act of compassion can create a chain reaction, and when people are given a real story and a direct way to help, they show up.”
Bambas doesn’t just help by platforming the other veterans. He is also contributing $1,000 of his own money to each fundraiser.
“For me … it’s personal. It’s my way of saying to those veterans: I see you, I appreciate what you’ve done, and I want to help pass along the kindness that was shown to me,” Bambas said.
“I know what it feels like to work hard, to struggle quietly, and to not want to ask anybody for help. A lot of veterans are like that.”
While there is a through line in the stories of all of the veterans the For Your Service campaign aims to support, Weidenhofer said that “there isn’t one single veteran experience.”
There’s Randy, an Army veteran who now lives with Alzheimer’s, and medical expenses have led his family to fall back on their mortgage, eventually at risk of losing their home. So far, people have rallied to provide them with over $16,000 of their $20,000 goal.
And then there’s Ronnie, a veteran who has been homeless for years, sleeping in motels and struggling to make it to doctor’s appointments. He finally regained access to his home earlier this year, but it has been severely damaged and isn’t a safe place for him to live. Nearly $84,000 of his $90,000 goal has been met.
@itssozer
50 days. 50 states. 50 veterans. 🇺🇸❤️ I went back to see Ed… the 88-year-old veteran you all helped retire. We sat there talking about how much his life has changed… and one thing kept coming up. He wasn’t the only one. There are thousands of veterans out there still struggling every single day. So this time, we’re not stopping at one. For 50 days, we’re travelling America to meet 50 veterans, hear their stories, and stand beside them. Our goal is to raise $10,000,000 to support veterans across the country. And Ed didn’t just want to sit back… he’s giving $1,000 to every veteran we meet. I won’t be able to reach every state on my own, so some of my friends will be stepping in along the way to help us find and support those who need it most. This is bigger than me. This is all of us. This is what social media should be about. Let’s change lives… together ❤️
♬ original sound – Samuel Weidenhofer
“These are real people with real families, real needs, and a lifetime of service behind them. Some of the stories that have really stood out are veterans facing the possibility of losing their homes, veterans battling cancer, older veterans still working into their 80s because they don’t have another choice, and families trying to manage medical bills, caregiving, or financial hardship,” Weidenhofer said.
“The tangible difference is immediate. This support can help someone stay in their home, pay for care, cover daily expenses, or simply feel less alone and more supported during an incredibly difficult time.”
Bambas said this was true of his experience, but he also gained something else through his GoFundMe.
“Emotionally, it was something I still have trouble putting into words. I felt seen. I felt like people cared. When that many people — people who had never met me — decided my life mattered, it really touched me,” Bambas said.
“I’ll always be grateful for the money because it gave me stability. But the bigger thing was the feeling that I wasn’t alone. That’s why I want to help other veterans feel that same support.”
For Weidenhofer and Bambas alike, it’s more than just money; it’s an opportunity to remind people that “support for veterans shouldn’t end when their service does.”
“A lot of these veterans have spent years quietly pushing through hardship,” Weidenhofer said.
“When thousands of people stop, read their story, donate, comment, or share, it tells them: we see you, we appreciate you, and your service still matters.”
Those interested in supporting For Your Service can do so by visiting the community campaign on GoFundMe.
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Header image courtesy of Samuel Weidenhofer
