NEW ORLEANS, La. (WKRC) - An elderly United States Air Force (USAF) veteran who needed to work at a grocery store to make ends meet was given $200,000 for his retirement, thanks to a successful GoFundMe campaign.
A video was posted to former New Orleans news anchor Karen Swensen's YouTube channel, showing the elderly veteran hard at work at a grocery store.
"So he must push carts in triple digit heat to make ends meet. He had the kindest smile and greatest attitude. He is grateful for his job and his work ethic speaks for itself," Swensen wrote in the video's caption.
According to PEOPLE, Swensen was stunned when she saw Dillon McCormick pushing carts on a hot Memorial Day.
“How old am I? Just made 90 in November,” McCormick told Swenson.
In the YouTube video, the veteran told Swensen that he was stationed in several places across the United States during his service, also serving in Greenland at some point.
Per WWL, McCormick worked at a Winn Dixie supermarket location in Metairie, Louisiana. A shopper told the station's reporters that the 90-year-old man seemed to love his job, but added he was "struggling out here" on Memorial Day.
McCormick told Swensen that he needed $2,500 a month to make ends meet. TODAY co-host Hoda Kotb, and friend of Swenson, took to Instagram and shared the GoFundMe to help get the word out.
To help, Swensen launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise money to help him retire, and by Tuesday afternoon, the campaign had raised over $200,000. As of Thursday morning, the campaign has raised over $220,000.
“No longer will the 90-year-old veteran have to push shopping carts in triple digit heat to put food on his table,” Swensen wrote in an update on the GoFundMe. "Should he choose to remain working, it will be just that - his choice."
"Tomorrow we will begin the process of transferring the funds. What a delightful day awaits for him," Swensen confirmed on the GoFundMe page.
When thanking all those who had helped, McCormick said it was "great," adding that "at my age, it's like a miracle."
According to PEOPLE, McCormick was born in 1933. His mother lived to be 104, per the publication.
To see McCormick's GoFundMe, you can click HERE.
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