Homeless Veteran Helps Out A Woman By Giving His LAST $20, Does Not Expect It Will Change His Life Forever (UPDATED)
When Johnny, a homeless man based in Philadelphia, spent his last $20, he wasn’t looking at it as an investment – but it’s about to pay him huge dividends. After he helped a New Jersey woman who ran out of gas, she returned the favor by raising a lot more on the internet. And by a lot, I mean more than a quarter of a million dollars.
Kate McClure, 27, was driving into Philadelphia to visit a friend when she ran out of gas on Interstate 95. “He saw me pull over and knew something was wrong,” she wrote. “He told me to get back in the car and lock the doors. A few minutes later, he comes back with a red gas can. Using his last 20 dollars to make sure I could get home safe.”
She couldn’t repay him at that time because she had no cash with her. “I have been stopping by his spot for the past few weeks. I repaid him for the gas, gave him a jacket, gloves, a hat, and warm socks, and I give him a few dollars every time I see him.”
One day, when she bought a few cereal bars for Johnny, he responded by asking “Do you want one?” Kate decided to do more for the good Samaritan, so she started a crowdfunding campaign on GoFundMe.com, and it quickly gained far beyond its initial $10,000 goal.
“He is very interested in finding a job, and I believe that with a place to be able to clean up every night and get a good night’s rest, his life can get back to being normal.” According to her, Johnny was an ammunition technician in the Marines and had been a firefighter and paramedic before getting hit by hard times.
The fundraising page was taken down for a time at Johnny’s request when it reached $100,000 because he didn’t want to seem like he was taking advantage of the situation. Eventually, McClure said that she restarted it because interest had not abated. She also added that Johnny is more than pleased with the amount and he plans to donate the rest to a good cause.
According to the New York Post, Johnny wants to get a job at an Amazon warehouse in Robbinsville, New Jersey and a recruiter from the tech company has already reached out, saying she wants to help him secure a spot.
UPDATE:
According to a recent TIME magazine article, the New Jersey couple and homeless man behind this viral GoFundMe campaign fabricated the heartwarming story in order to raise money for themselves.
Mark D’Amico, Kate McClure and Johnny Bobbitt are currently facing charges that include conspiracy and theft by deception after raising more than $400,000 online.
On Thursday, Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina told the public that the story was fake. All three of them conspired to create a “feel-good story” that would inspire people to donate money.
“The entire campaign was predicated on a lie,” Coffina said. McClure and D’Amico have been under heavy investigation since September, after Bobbitt sued them in August, stating that he received only $75,000 out of the $400,000 raised.
Coffina guessed the trio may have gotten away with the scheme had the inner dispute between them not become public.
Police raided McClure and D’Amico’s home, confiscating various items and the BMW the couple purchased with the money. A judge temporarily halted the lawsuit filed by Bobbitt against the couple as the investigation unfolded. A lawyer for the couple said that Bobbitt received about $200,000 from the donations.
GoFundMe provided Bobbitt $20,000 in September as financial assistance during the investigation of the case. On Thursday, however, the company issued a statement, saying that it will fully refund all the money that donors gave to the false charity campaign.
“While this type of behavior by an individual is extremely rare, it’s unacceptable and clearly it has consequences,” GoFundMe said in a statement to TIME, “Committing fraud, whether it takes place on or offline is against the law. We are fully cooperating and assisting law enforcement officials to recover every dollar withdrawn by Ms. McClure and Mr. D’Amico.”
“Driving into Philly one night, I made the mistake of thinking that I would be able to make it all the way down I-95 with my gas light on”
Image credits: Kate McClure
“I was wrong. I never ran out of gas before, and my heart was beating out of my chest.” After Kate pulled over, a homeless man approached her
Image credits: gofundme
“He saw me pull over and knew something was wrong.” The man told her to get back in the car and lock the doors because it wasn’t safe outside
Image credits: Associated Press
“A few minutes later, he comes back with a red gas can. Using his last 20 dollars to make sure I could get home safe”
Image credits: Kate McClure
Johnny was an ammunition technician in the Marines and had been a firefighter and paramedic before getting hit by hard times
Image credits: gofundme
Image credits: gofundme
McClure started a funding campaign to pay Johnny back, and his initial reaction was priceless
As of this article, the campaign has reached $289,687
Image credits: gofundme
The Internet believes Johnny is worth every penny
It is cool that this guy has gotten help... but all I can think of how terrifying the US is. Is there really no social security net to stop a person who has the skill for three jobs from going homeless?
The sad reality. It's the same here, in Bulgaria. Intelligent and skilful people with amazing personalities and good souls, who once had their life all figured out suddenly become homeless in all kinds of nasty circumstances. It's often not even their fault.
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I'm saddened and angered by the system in the United States ( and a lot of other countries). You potentially give your life to the country and its people by working in the Marines/Army and what do you get in return? You get to live on the streets :( I'm glad for this man, things seem to be changing for better. They are both good people.
Yeah, I read the story about the guy who shot Osama is now broke and divorced. But still his apartment with his wife because he doesn't have money. I hope this story isn't true though
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I'm truly moved after reading this. I hope from the bottom of my heart that he starts over again, gets the job and will be living a normal life he deserves. The girl had an amazing idea. It is true that helping without interest of gaining from it, comes back to us with double force. Wish more people were like that!
What really saddens me is that millions of people out there have skills and talents, and they go by neglected and wasted. College is a total waste of time and money. I have two degrees now but no job...
Yes College can be a waste of money. I went to college for a little, got bored, took to much time. In the mean time I started my own business and left my job and school. I still study and educate myself. But schooling can be a waste of money for some people. Do it for yourself!
Load More Replies...
As of last night they had raised over $255,000 for him! I truly hopes he is able to find a great job and live a wonderful life.
Amazing too that he's going to donate the amount over $100, 000....!
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Many of America's homeless population are military veterans. Like too many Americans, they live paycheck to paycheck, so just a few unexpected expenses can ruin their finances. Add to that the the stigma of PTSD and other mental illnesses AND the extreme difficulty for vets to get appointments for mental health or other medical needs, and the chances of homelessness increase dramatically.
And, on a side note: Trump does more for veterans and active servicemen and women than left winger Obama and his entourage of socialist/communist puppets ever did. Think long and hard, if you want to get me started on "Trump's transgender ban"...
Load More Replies...
The United States has been in some form of foreign conflict since the second WW and the veterans are very often the "throw aways". Imagine if there were no more war and the $250 million per day that administrations have spent since 2001 was put to helping fellow Americans! War is profitable...for some...but Peace is the only answer. Love you Kate!
This was very inspiring me and most likely to other people. Just by doing one thing, can change the rest of you future. This is so heartwarming, caring, and loving! People need start waking up and realizing that you don’t need to just care about yourself or your family, that you need to care about people who your surrounded by, you need to make those people your own family, become best friends or just friends or not even friends at all! The point is that some people don’t realize that the people they see in stores or walking around in town might be homeless, you never know, but if I were u, I would make a change, I would help those in need. Thank You, bye. :)
Without a doubt, we need more humans like her, so the world might be a better place to live. Heartwarming story! :)
That guy was very nice I wish everyone else was as kind as him a and you know the saying “What goes around comes around.”
The social situation is almost the same in Hungary. It is also possible, that a men with qualifications (without supporting family) can get out to the street. At the end of our street there were a homeless man living on a bench, from week to week we give him food and some used but usable clothes to wear, he was wery happy with it. In his active years he was a printing technician at a big local firm. He got divorced, and left alone be his family. In the last 6 years living in a public park, he used to work in a chicken farm at the outskirt of Budapest, but the wife of the owner tried to flirt with him. At his own decision he leaved the farm, went back to the public park. We gave him food day by day, and clothes. We talked to him, that we would be happy to help him, if he also want it. My wife organised a test work week for the man at his employer at a rural tire warehouse, with accomodation. The employer is happy with the (not so) old guy, he is a reliable, accurate person to work with.
He made some savings, durung the last 2,5 years, and planning to buy a small house at a farm, so he can hand over the accomodation to a person who is rather being in need..We are so happy having the possibility to help him to get up from that not-so-easy situation.
Load More Replies... Awesome! Nothing bad about this except the sad fact that it’s so easy to become homeless.
The lesson for me, is to not judge there's always a story behind the person. There's a young woman who'd ask for money to stay in a shelter - she was very young, like anyone I had my doubts but I decided to put aside and give her 10$ I had been keeping for her. She was so grateful, I haven't seen her since but I got to know her a bit better that day and am richer for it.
wauw makes ya think about this sortof stuf,helping eachother out abit.
Really lovely story. What a kind, wonderful man--and to see him on the streets when he has so much to contribute...I'm so glad he's going to be taken care of, and he should never have been on the streets in the first place. Vets need better than this--so does everyone
"American dream"...Glad the guy got help. If he was willing to sacrifice his last 20 bucks to help a stranger, i am sure the extra $ he got will go to help others. God bless him
With his skills and kind-heart, this man should never be homeless or let be homeless in the first place.
This young lady is from my area which is Bordentown, NJ. I'm so happy to see that there is still good people out there.
we help becuse we can not becuse we have to as the karma will open very happy for him not all the homeless are bed ppl be good to others the universe will give back
Proof that people can be angry about anything. kljdnfgkjn...fe0439.jpg 
I think this story is wonderful. Too many veterans are homeless and should not be. I am sorry i cannot donate right now but will in the future. Story brought tears to my eyes.
It would be great to be able to provide this kind of help for all homeless folks; especially veterans who have given so much for us.
a man like him deserves a big hug and a warm Christmas , Bless you
I recently reread the Hunger Games and it talked about how hopefully she wouldn't starve to death, and in my mind, I was like "Good thing we have the stuff to keep that from happening". But then I realized, we don't. If you get in a down spot, you have to eat cheap foods like McDonald's. We don't have anything to keep us from being low enough that we could starve. This had just really scared.
You never, ever, ever have to eat McD's. A $12 bag of rice will last months, and dried beans are amazingly cheap. So are bananas and apples and potatoes. Resorting to fast food is a copout.
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Now that it is over $250k let the fighting over the money commence!!!!
If you bothered to read it properly, she paid him back and also bought him some clothes
Load More Replies...
It is cool that this guy has gotten help... but all I can think of how terrifying the US is. Is there really no social security net to stop a person who has the skill for three jobs from going homeless?
The sad reality. It's the same here, in Bulgaria. Intelligent and skilful people with amazing personalities and good souls, who once had their life all figured out suddenly become homeless in all kinds of nasty circumstances. It's often not even their fault.
Load More Replies... I'm saddened and angered by the system in the United States ( and a lot of other countries). You potentially give your life to the country and its people by working in the Marines/Army and what do you get in return? You get to live on the streets :( I'm glad for this man, things seem to be changing for better. They are both good people.
Yeah, I read the story about the guy who shot Osama is now broke and divorced. But still his apartment with his wife because he doesn't have money. I hope this story isn't true though
Load More Replies... I'm truly moved after reading this. I hope from the bottom of my heart that he starts over again, gets the job and will be living a normal life he deserves. The girl had an amazing idea. It is true that helping without interest of gaining from it, comes back to us with double force. Wish more people were like that!
What really saddens me is that millions of people out there have skills and talents, and they go by neglected and wasted. College is a total waste of time and money. I have two degrees now but no job...
Yes College can be a waste of money. I went to college for a little, got bored, took to much time. In the mean time I started my own business and left my job and school. I still study and educate myself. But schooling can be a waste of money for some people. Do it for yourself!
Load More Replies... As of last night they had raised over $255,000 for him! I truly hopes he is able to find a great job and live a wonderful life.
Amazing too that he's going to donate the amount over $100, 000....!
Load More Replies... Many of America's homeless population are military veterans. Like too many Americans, they live paycheck to paycheck, so just a few unexpected expenses can ruin their finances. Add to that the the stigma of PTSD and other mental illnesses AND the extreme difficulty for vets to get appointments for mental health or other medical needs, and the chances of homelessness increase dramatically.
And, on a side note: Trump does more for veterans and active servicemen and women than left winger Obama and his entourage of socialist/communist puppets ever did. Think long and hard, if you want to get me started on "Trump's transgender ban"...
Load More Replies... The United States has been in some form of foreign conflict since the second WW and the veterans are very often the "throw aways". Imagine if there were no more war and the $250 million per day that administrations have spent since 2001 was put to helping fellow Americans! War is profitable...for some...but Peace is the only answer. Love you Kate!
This was very inspiring me and most likely to other people. Just by doing one thing, can change the rest of you future. This is so heartwarming, caring, and loving! People need start waking up and realizing that you don’t need to just care about yourself or your family, that you need to care about people who your surrounded by, you need to make those people your own family, become best friends or just friends or not even friends at all! The point is that some people don’t realize that the people they see in stores or walking around in town might be homeless, you never know, but if I were u, I would make a change, I would help those in need. Thank You, bye. :)
Without a doubt, we need more humans like her, so the world might be a better place to live. Heartwarming story! :)
That guy was very nice I wish everyone else was as kind as him a and you know the saying “What goes around comes around.”
The social situation is almost the same in Hungary. It is also possible, that a men with qualifications (without supporting family) can get out to the street. At the end of our street there were a homeless man living on a bench, from week to week we give him food and some used but usable clothes to wear, he was wery happy with it. In his active years he was a printing technician at a big local firm. He got divorced, and left alone be his family. In the last 6 years living in a public park, he used to work in a chicken farm at the outskirt of Budapest, but the wife of the owner tried to flirt with him. At his own decision he leaved the farm, went back to the public park. We gave him food day by day, and clothes. We talked to him, that we would be happy to help him, if he also want it. My wife organised a test work week for the man at his employer at a rural tire warehouse, with accomodation. The employer is happy with the (not so) old guy, he is a reliable, accurate person to work with.
He made some savings, durung the last 2,5 years, and planning to buy a small house at a farm, so he can hand over the accomodation to a person who is rather being in need..We are so happy having the possibility to help him to get up from that not-so-easy situation.
Load More Replies... Awesome! Nothing bad about this except the sad fact that it’s so easy to become homeless.
The lesson for me, is to not judge there's always a story behind the person. There's a young woman who'd ask for money to stay in a shelter - she was very young, like anyone I had my doubts but I decided to put aside and give her 10$ I had been keeping for her. She was so grateful, I haven't seen her since but I got to know her a bit better that day and am richer for it.
wauw makes ya think about this sortof stuf,helping eachother out abit.
Really lovely story. What a kind, wonderful man--and to see him on the streets when he has so much to contribute...I'm so glad he's going to be taken care of, and he should never have been on the streets in the first place. Vets need better than this--so does everyone
"American dream"...Glad the guy got help. If he was willing to sacrifice his last 20 bucks to help a stranger, i am sure the extra $ he got will go to help others. God bless him
With his skills and kind-heart, this man should never be homeless or let be homeless in the first place.
This young lady is from my area which is Bordentown, NJ. I'm so happy to see that there is still good people out there.
we help becuse we can not becuse we have to as the karma will open very happy for him not all the homeless are bed ppl be good to others the universe will give back
Proof that people can be angry about anything. kljdnfgkjn...fe0439.jpg
I think this story is wonderful. Too many veterans are homeless and should not be. I am sorry i cannot donate right now but will in the future. Story brought tears to my eyes.
It would be great to be able to provide this kind of help for all homeless folks; especially veterans who have given so much for us.
a man like him deserves a big hug and a warm Christmas , Bless you
I recently reread the Hunger Games and it talked about how hopefully she wouldn't starve to death, and in my mind, I was like "Good thing we have the stuff to keep that from happening". But then I realized, we don't. If you get in a down spot, you have to eat cheap foods like McDonald's. We don't have anything to keep us from being low enough that we could starve. This had just really scared.
You never, ever, ever have to eat McD's. A $12 bag of rice will last months, and dried beans are amazingly cheap. So are bananas and apples and potatoes. Resorting to fast food is a copout.
Load More Replies... Now that it is over $250k let the fighting over the money commence!!!!
If you bothered to read it properly, she paid him back and also bought him some clothes
Load More Replies... 
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