Detroit man who walks 21 miles for work thankful for support
DETROIT (AP) - A Detroit man who says he typically walks 21 miles to get to and from work is offering thanks for a flood of donations and support.
James Robertson tells the Detroit Free Press (http://on.freep.com/1uTUFrg ) "Detroit is the real city of angels."
After the newspaper wrote about the 56-year-old's situation over the weekend, people started crowdfunding efforts to help him buy a car and get insurance. Some offered to drive him and others offered to buy or give him cars.
As of early Wednesday, more than $270,000 was pledged to one effort.
Robertson rides buses part of the way to and from his factory job in suburban Rochester Hills. He says "the same God who brings you all these blessings can take them away, but hopefully I'm ready for what happens."
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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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