A hard-working Walmart employee has finally retired at the age of 82 after kind strangers raised $100,000 for him.
Butch Marion, 82, a Navy veteran, touched the hearts of the world after TikTok user Rory McCarty shared his story with the world when he discovered he was working 40-hour weeks in his 80s.
Despite only going into the store to buy some batteries, Rory left with a lot more - namely, the determination to help Butch find the money he needed to retire.
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So Rory set up a GoFundMe in a bid to do just that, saying: "I just wanted to put something in motion and the Lord did the rest.
In a bid to raise donations, Rory shared a video of Butch working on TikTok to show that despite his advanced age and health, he had no option but to keep working to pay his medical bills.
A fundraiser was then set up on 18 December with the initial target of raising $100,000, but that amount has now been surpassed.
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Now, at the time of writing, a whopping $123,875 has been raised by good samaritans and that number keeps on growing.
Rory explained in the fundraiser's description why he wanted to raise the money and wrote: "I was shopping at Walmart the other day, and was waited on by an 82yr old man named Butch.
"As a business owner and knowing how hard it's been to try to find good help for my business. I was astounded seeing this little older man still grinding."
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He then explained that after seeing another elderly Walmart worker be given the opportunity to retire through GoFundMe, he wanted to do the same for Butch.
"Working 8 to 9 hour shifts," Rory explained. "Recently seeing a GoFundMe for a 82 yr old lady working at Walmart on TikTok, and seeing they raised money for her to retire for good [sic].
"I wanted to help this Navy Veteran to live the remainder of his years traveling to see his kids in Florida. Get him off his feet for 8hrs at a time.
"And do the things he would love to do that he may not be able to for financial reasons. Every penny will go to Butch.
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"Janette, the daughter of Butch, has confirmed that I can withdraw the funds on behalf of her father and send them outside of GoFundMe.
"Once that happens, I will be hand delivering Warren Marion (Butch) a cashier check for the full amount given after the GoFundMe fee is subtracted."
Butch has now shared his delight at finally being able to put his working days behind him after leaving his Walmart job for the last time on Wednesday (4 January).
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He was given a cheque for $108,000 - the fundraiser's total at the time.
Butch told Fox5: "This is just unreal. I feel like a new man. Bird out of a cage."
Topics: US News
Emma Guinness