Strangers raise $60,000 to buy Detroit man who walks to work 21 miles a day a car

Yahoo News ^ | 2/2/15 | Dylan Stableford

[Kartographer]

The story of a Detroit man who has been walking 21 miles a day to get to and from work for over a decade inspired a Michigan college student to launch an online campaign to buy him a car. Thanks to the generosity of strangers, the campaign has raised more than $60,000 in a day.

Since buses don't cover the entire 23-mile route, 56-year-old James Robertson spends nearly all of his free time during the week commuting to his $10.55 an hour factory job in Rochester Hills. According to the Detroit Free Press, which published a front-page story about him Sunday, Robertson begins his trek at 8 a.m. to catch buses that take him to a Troy, Mich., mall before he walks the remaining 7 miles to Schain Mold & Engineering, where he begins his 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. shift. And according to his boss, Robertson has a perfect attendance record.

[USARightSide]

That was my first thought - the exercise.

Also, look at the headline and how it’s worded.
Journalists no longer consider good English???!

Remember:
‘Throw John over the fence his shirt.’
‘Down the street the army is marching up.’

Very surprised no one has commented by now - unless I missed something.

[Daveinyork]

people helping people to be able to earn a living, with no government involved.

[Pearls Before Swine]

He is a karma yogi.

[cripplecreek]

There are some really great people in Detroit who are overlooked.

Eat em up Tigers guy was another.



He was a homeless panhandler that Comerica park spotted and allowed to stay when police chased others away. He was sober, clean and didn't get in people's faces so he was allowed to stay. People enjoyed him. I gave him $5 myself one time and he said "I thank you and may God bless you".

In the summer of 2012 he was pushing another homeless man in a wheelchair to a shelter when a hit and run driver killed both of them. The Tigers ended up paying burial expenses for both of them.

[dynachrome]

Also, I hope he is ready for the taxes he will have to pay on that 60, 000!

[Talisker]

Strangers raise $60,000 to buy Detroit man who walks to work 21 miles a day a car

[familyop]

James could probably do the editor’s job better, too.

[RS_Rider]

“Long daily walks like that are habit forming, good for the soul, the heart, and the body.”

Correct you are.
I blast off on my daily jaunt as soon as Rush has finished up.
Listen to Hannity while I’m walking but it just muffles the traffic noise.

[StormEye]

The Democrat Party loves and thrives on unemployment lines.

[umgud]

This is touching, but he sure seems to have a lot of meat on his bones for someone walking this many miles per day.

[Tired of Taxes]

I agree. I have no doubt that this hardworking man walks a great distance every day and that he’s a dedicated employee. But there are some unanswered questions such as:
Did he ever try looking for a place to live closer to his job?
Did he ever look for a job closer to home?
How is he surviving on 2 hours of sleep each night? (I’ve done it from time to time, but that lack of sleep will destroy a person.)
What is his home life like? Is he supporting a family?

[petenmi]

Wonder if he made it into work this morning? Had a huge blizzard in the Detroit area yesterday/today with about 14” of snow.

[Kit cat]

The American people ALWAYS come through very glad someone got hold of this story this man WILL be OK now thanks to generous Americans and NO government handouts!!!!!!

[Kit cat]

He better NOT park the car on the street in Detroit or it will be stripped bear when he gets back to it!!!!!!

[Hot Tabasco]

he sure seems to have a lot of meat on his bones for someone walking this many miles per day.

How is it that folks on this site have devolved to the point that they have to view with suspicion every feel good article that comes along?

[Hot Tabasco]

Did he ever try looking for a place to live closer to his job?

Considering the area he lives in, his house, if owned, is only worth about $7,000.........Show me an area in Rochester Hills where you can purchase a condo or small house for less than $150,000.........

Did he ever look for a job closer to home?

That's a question we'll never know isn't it? But knowing the employment climate in Detroit, I would say there are no jobs available to an elderly gentleman such as him who has no education or technical skills.........

Rather than question Mr. Robertson about his actions and your alleged inactions, how about praising him instead?

[cripplecreek]

Not even FR is unaffected by the destruction of humanity.

[Cowgirl of Justice]

My grandmother made 5 cents an hour, working in a sweatshop in NY when she was a teen.

[2ndDivisionVet]

The kids now wouldn’t believe us. My first real job paid $1.25/hr. and even my first months in the Army I only made $397/month before taxes and deductions.

[umgud]

I’ll admit to being somewhat of a cynic, but he still appears not to be as lean as that amount of walking would produce.