GoFundMe contributors quickly raised more than $200,000 for 90-year-old air force veteran Dillon McCormick after a news anchor made the story of him pushing shopping carts in the hot sun go viral.
Karen Swensen, a former news anchor in New Orleans, was dismayed to encounter McCormick working outside in 90-degree heat in her home state of Louisiana on Memorial Day.
His plight encouraged her to start a GoFundMe, which was later shared by “Today” co-host Hoda Kotb on social media. “Let’s all help him,” she urged her 2.5 million Instagram followers.
“Mr. McCormick is working to EAT,” the campaign said. “He needs $2500/month to live and says he only gets $1100 from social security. 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.”
“He pushes carts…
