Detroit man walks miles to work; Donors buy him a car

An inspirational story came out in January about a Detroit man named James Robertson, who trudged miles to get to work every day:

Getting to and from his factory job 23 miles away in Rochester Hills, he’ll take a bus partway there and partway home. And he’ll also walk an astounding 21 miles.  Five days a week. Monday through Friday.  It’s the life Robertson has led for the last decade, ever since his 1988 Honda Accord quit on him.

The article highlighted that despite his difficulties, he sets the standard for attendance at his workplace, according to his supervisors.

So, what gets him past dangerous streets, and through the cold and gloom of night and winter winds?   “One word — faith,” Robertson says. “I’m not saying I’m a member of some church. But just before I get home, every night, I say, ‘Lord, keep me safe.’

See the full article at Detroit Free Press.

This tenacity and drive got him national attention, including a feature as the ABC News “person of the week”. It is reported that a 19 year old college student named Evan Leedy saw his story and started an online fundraiser that eventually amassed $350,000 and a new Ford Taurus (See, for example, this follow up article from CBS news).

 

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