Veteran, 90, Was Working in the Heat on Memorial Day. Within a Day, Over $200K Was Raised So He Could Retire
Dillon McCormick has been pushing carts to make ends meet — and after spotting him at work on Memorial Day, a former news anchor stepped in to help
A 90-year-old air force veteran found himself pushing carts for a Louisiana grocery store to make ends meet. Now, more than $200,000 has been raised to help him retire.
Karen Swensen, a former New Orleans news anchor, was stunned when she spotted Dillon McCormick pushing carts on Memorial Day in 90 degree heat, according to CBS affiliate WWL-TV.
McCormick told Swensen he needs about $2,500 a month to survive, but gets less than half of that from social security, which is why he took the job, per the outlet.
After their encounter, she started a GoFundMe campaign on behalf of McCormick. In just 24 hours, more than $200,000 had been raised.
A link to the fundraiser was even shared by Swenson's pal, Today co-host Hoda Kotb. “Lets all help him,” she wrote.
Now, thanks to the generosity of thousands of people, McCormick has the option to retire, should he choose to do so.
“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 posted to the GoFundMe page. "Should he choose to remain working, it will be just that - his choice."
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McCormick was born in 1933 to a mother who eventually lived to be 104 years old, according to Swensen.
In a video posted to Swensen’s YouTube page, the Air Force veteran said he was stationed in multiple states across the U.S. throughout his career, and at one point served in Greenland.
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Speaking with WWL-TV, McCormick thanked those who donated. ”I think it’s great,” he told the station. “At my age, it’s like a miracle.”
Meanwhile, Swensen is excited knowing McCormick can "live out his days in comfort and security."
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"God bless all of you and God bless our veterans," she wrote on GoFundMe.
Swensen added, "Tomorrow we will begin the process of transferring the funds. What a delightful day awaits for him."
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