Chicago paleta vendor Fidencio Sanchez melts US hearts
Nearly $200,000 (£150,000) has been raised online in days for an elderly Chicago ice popsicle vendor who was pictured struggling to push his cart.
Fidencio Sanchez, 89, was forced out of retirement in the summer after his only daughter died and he took custody of her children.
The GoFundMe page was set up by a stranger who was moved to see the paleta seller hunched over his trolley.
Despite the windfall, Mr Sanchez says he has no plans to stop working.
He has been selling ice pops in the Little Village neighbourhood of the Illinois city for 23 years.
Mr Sanchez had been retired just two months when his daughter passed away in July.
His wife, who also used to sell the ice pops, was forced to quit in the summer because of failing health.
"We thought, what are we going to do? We have to pay the bills," the Spanish-speaking vendor told ABC News through a translator.
Mr Sanchez decided to dust off his cart of frozen treats once again to help support his wife and grandchildren.
"I wake up early and (work) all day until eight at night," he said.
The online fundraiser was set up last Friday by a passer-by who was inspired by the ageing paleta seller's work ethic.
"It broke my heart seeing this man who should be enjoying retirement," Joel Cervantes Macias wrote on GoFundMe.
Mr Macias, who runs a Mexican restaurant, said he bought 20 paletas from Mr Sanchez for $50.
He drove away and posted the photo on Facebook, with the comment: "I respect this man to the fullest! #workflow #dyingbreed #mexicano #migente."
The image garnered a huge response.
Mr Macias said he decided to set up the online fundraiser, "Relief for Fidencio the paleta man", in the hope of collecting $3,000 dollars (£2,250) for him.
The internet responded generously and the original target was surpassed in less than an hour.
By Monday afternoon, it had raised $182,430.
Bless the guy who set up this gofundme. I'm so happy that this grandpa got all this donations. I hope no one takes advantage of him. But if he's 89 wouldn't his grandkids be at least in their 20s? Why are they not helping? But then maybe disabled or autistic.
ReplyDeleteWe shouldn't live in a country where the old have to work till they die. I would gladly pay more taxes to provide free education, free health care, and an adequate living allowance when retired.
ReplyDeleteLots of old people many older than him in Africa are struggling coz of your Government so stop considering yourselves saints if you truly have good hearts help children in Aleppo where your soldiers are killing them
ReplyDeleteI'm confused on why he has to work, if he enjoys working fine, but he makes it sound like he can't take a break. If that is the case, why hasn't the government/aid/retirement checks/SSI? helped this man lived a easy life by now? all the best though :)
ReplyDeleteEvery time I see this story, the amount grows. Just 30 seconds of scrolling through my FB feed the amounts went from $140k to $165, $175, and now nearly $200k. Either people are donating at a furious rate, or some of these sites are really behind.
ReplyDeleteHe should go home and rest let the community takes care of him .
ReplyDeleteThat's so nice.
ReplyDeleteWhat would be nicer would be a social security system that allowed everyone a living income when they reached retirement age.
But, yeah, this is nice, for this one guy.
Awww This is so wonderful!
ReplyDeleteTheres something about wee old men that makes me want to look after them and make sure they are doing okay.
There will always be a reason why you meet people. Either you need them to change your life or you are the one that will change theirs.
ReplyDeleteEveryone hates or knocks on America but here you go fine example of what America is all about.
ReplyDeleteWish we saw more great stories like this...
ReplyDeleteGod bless you SR. You are a huge example for all lazy people.
ReplyDeleteSo glad that the current generation is exposed to something like this to teach them values and be grateful to everything they have! G-d bless.
ReplyDeleteI hope he'll get every cent of that! Respect
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to know that despite the rampant vitriol online, that people are still mostly good.
ReplyDeleteI wish I can help him too. Much love to him. The heart of a man.
ReplyDelete