Fundraising exceeds $300K for man with 21-mile walk for work
DETROIT (AP) - An online fundraiser has collected more than $300,000 for a Detroit man who says he walks 21 miles to and from his job in the suburbs.
After the Detroit Free Press wrote about James Robertson and his situation last weekend, a 19-year-old Wayne State University student launched the crowdfunding campaign with an initial goal of raising $5,000 to buy him a car. Robertson met Evan Leedy on Monday and told the young man he would always be in his debt.
The 56-year-old began making the daily trek to the factory where he molds parts in Rochester Hills after his car stopped working in 2005 and bus service was cut back.
The newspaper reports (http://on.freep.com/1LUdmpq ) Robertson has been offered a donated Ford Taurus by a car dealer.
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Information from: Detroit Free Press, http://www.freep.com
James Robertson, 56, of Detroit, makes his way home after working his shift at Schain Mold & Engineering in Rochester Hills on Jan. 9, 2015. Hundreds of people have contributed tens of thousands of dollars to help Robertson, who says he typically walks 21 miles (34 kilometers) to get to and from work. Robertson began making the daily trek to the factory where he molds parts after his car stopped working ten years ago and bus service was cut back. He's had perfect attendance for more than 12 years. (AP Photo/Detroit Free Press, Ryan Garza) DETROIT NEWS OUT; NO SALES
The Associated Press
James Robertson, 56, of Detroit, walks back to the curb in Detroit while looking for his morning bus as part of his commute to work, on Jan. 29, 2015. Hundreds of people have contributed tens of thousands of dollars to help Robertson, who says he typically walks 21 miles (34 kilometers) to get to and from work. Robertson began making the daily trek to the factory where he molds parts after his car stopped working ten years ago and bus service was cut back. He's had perfect attendance for more than 12 years. (AP Photo/Detroit Free Press, Ryan Garza) DETROIT NEWS OUT; NO SALES
The Associated Press
James Robertson 56, of Detroit looks over ads for used cars while riding the SMART bus as a part of his commute to work on Jan. 29, 2015. Hundreds of people have contributed tens of thousands of dollars to help Robertson, who says he typically walks 21 miles (34 kilometers) to get to and from work. Robertson began making the daily trek to the factory where he molds parts after his car stopped working ten years ago and bus service was cut back. He's had perfect attendance for more than 12 years. (AP Photo/Detroit Free Press, Ryan Garza) DETROIT NEWS OUT; NO SALES
The Associated Press
James Robertson, right, 56, of Detroit takes a brief nap while riding the SMART bus as a part of his commute to work on Jan. 29, 2015. Hundreds of people have contributed tens of thousands of dollars to help Robertson, who says he typically walks 21 miles (34 kilometers) to get to and from work. Robertson began making the daily trek to the factory where he molds parts after his car stopped working ten years ago and bus service was cut back. He's had perfect attendance for more than 12 years. (AP Photo/Detroit Free Press, Ryan Garza) DETROIT NEWS OUT; NO SALES
The Associated Press
UBS Vice President of Wealth Management Blake Pollock talks with James Robertson, 56, of Detroit, after giving him a ride to work following after seeing Robertson walking along Crooks Rd. to his shift at Schain Mold & Engineering on Jan. 29, 2015. Hundreds of people have contributed tens of thousands of dollars to help Robertson, who says he typically walks 21 miles (34 kilometers) to get to and from work. Robertson began making the daily trek to the factory where he molds parts after his car stopped working ten years ago and bus service was cut back. He's had perfect attendance for more than 12 years. (AP Photo/Detroit Free Press, Ryan Garza) DETROIT NEWS OUT; NO SALES
The Associated Press
James Robertson, 56, of Detroit, makes his way home after working his shift at Schain Mold & Engineering in Rochester Hills on Jan. 9, 2015. Hundreds of people have contributed tens of thousands of dollars to help Robertson, who says he typically walks 21 miles (34 kilometers) to get to and from work. Robertson began making the daily trek to the factory where he molds parts after his car stopped working ten years ago and bus service was cut back. He's had perfect attendance for more than 12 years. (AP Photo/Detroit Free Press, Ryan Garza) DETROIT NEWS OUT; NO SALES
The Associated Press
James Robertson, 56, of Detroit, walks to catch his morning bus as a part of his commute to work on Jan. 29, 2015. Hundreds of people have contributed tens of thousands of dollars to help Robertson, who says he typically walks 21 miles (34 kilometers) to get to and from work. Robertson began making the daily trek to the factory where he molds parts after his car stopped working ten years ago and bus service was cut back. He's had perfect attendance for more than 12 years. (AP Photo/Detroit Free Press, Ryan Garza) DETROIT NEWS OUT; NO SALES
The Associated Press
James Robertson, 56 of Detroit listens as Evan Leedy, 19, reads messages from donors for Robertson while being filmed after meeting him for the first time in Rochester, Mich., on Monday, Feb. 2, 2015. Hundreds of people have contributed tens of thousands of dollars to help Robertson, who says he typically walks 21 miles (34 kilometers) to get to and from work. Robertson began making the daily trek to the factory where he molds parts after his car stopped working ten years ago and bus service was cut back. He's had perfect attendance for more than 12 years. (AP Photo/Detroit Free Press, Ryan Garza) DETROIT NEWS OUT; NO SALES
The Associated Press
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