Woman raises over $300,000 for 90-year-old veteran who pawned jewelry to pay rent and care for his wife.
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Jenelle Marie from New Hampshire, USA, saw Donald, a disabled U.S. Air Force veteran, trying to pawn some jewelry. When she learned why he was doing this, Marie decided to help.
Marie met Donald at the pawn shop, where he shared his difficult situation. The 90-year-old veteran told Marie that he was caring for his wife, who suffers from dementia, and that his rent was overdue.
Moved by the story, Marie filmed the veteran and organized an online fundraiser. Shortly after creating a GoFundMe for Donald, she surprised him with an envelope containing $1,200 that she had already raised.
She posted the video of Donald receiving the gift on her TikTok account, and the emotional clip boosted the popularity of the fundraiser. “I know you’re struggling, I know you’re trying to take care of your wife,” Marie says.
Touched by the act of kindness, Donald thanks her with tearful eyes; “You’re an angel in disguise, you really are,” he tells Marie. “I don’t know what to say, I really don’t know what to say.”
The footage posted by Marie moved internet users, and the video quickly went viral, reaching over 10 million views. The online fundraiser also grew and soon raised over $300,000.
“This is the best birthday gift anyone has ever received,” Donald celebrated, who turns 91 on August 25.
This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
