56 year old Detroit man walks about 21 miles per day to get to work...

[jjs07]

Update:

Detroiter's daily trek inspires hundreds to donate

A story about a Detroit man who commutes about 21 miles a day on foot to and from work has spurred reaction from across the nation, including social media fund-raisers that have netted more than $80,000 in donations as of 6:30 p.m. Monday.

Because buses don't cover the full distance between James Robertson's home in Detroit and his job in Rochester Hills, he walks about eight miles headed to work and about 13 miles home, five days a week. His story — told by Bill Laitner in Sunday's Detroit Free Press — has inspired hundreds to offer money to buy him a car, pay his insurance and to provide professional help in managing the donations.

Robertson said Sunday he was flattered by the attention he'd gotten for his arduous commutes after the Free Press published a front-page story about him -- and amazed that complete strangers would respond so generously, some by offering to buy him a new car and others offering to give him one.

"Are you serious?" he said to a reporter after hearing of one crowd-funding effort alone that, by early Sunday night, had raised $30,000 — $25,000 more than the goal of the originator, a Wayne State University student.

A Downriver car dealership offered to give him a 2014 Chevrolet Cruz or Sonic. "He gets to choose," said Angela Osborne, customer service specialist at Rodgers Chevrolet in Woodhaven.

"We were just impressed with his determination," Osborne said.

Sales manager Darwin Filey said he read about Robertson after a fellow Facebook friend shared the story with him.

"When I saw the story I said 'wow.' Some people said you guys have got to do something. Then I called my owner and she read the story and said put something together," Filey said.

He said Robertson would have to pay the tax on the car, which would be about $900.

"We've never done anything like this at all. We've given to various causes but nothing at this magnitude," said Filey, who has been with the dealership for 2 1/2 years.

As for the possibility that a new federal program, available from Detroit's bus system, might provide a small-bus service that would pick Robertson up at home and deliver him directly to his job temporarily, he said: "I'd rather they spent that money on a 24-hour bus system, not on some little bus for me. This city needs buses going 24/7. You can tell the city council and mayor I said that."

Like hundreds of other Detroiters, the cost of car insurance is a factor Robertson knows he will have to deal with in acquiring his own transportation. A nationwide survey conducted last week found car insurance in Detroit to be the costliest in the nation, at an average of about $5,000 a year.

Darwin said it's not uncommon for Detroit motorists to have insurance premiums higher than car payments.

"I'm not an insurance agent, if I'm guessing it's going to be about $2,200 for six months." He added insurance companies often provide discounts for a year's payment upfront.

Rest of Article in Link

 

[heliumclinton]

But nah this is a scam this is all fake

Impossible

Dude should of just got a bike, problem solved.

Get a job across the street from your house, simple.

 

[jjs07]

But nah this is a scam this is all fake

Impossible

Dude should of just got a bike, problem solved.

Get a job across the street from your house, simple.

Sometimes we get so wrapped up in our own bubbles, that we fail to realize just how bad things are around the nation. Detroit is in shambles. Jobs aren't easy to come by, and I guarantee he's happy having a steady income...despite his hellish commute and the sacrifices he's making.

 

[Coromanti]

Salute. Dedication like that should've been rewarded a long time ago. His boss should be written up by the company.

 

[oidreez]

But nah this is a scam this is all fake

Impossible

Dude should of just got a bike, problem solved.

Get a job across the street from your house, simple.

So you're acting like it's wrong to give the man advice on possibilities to make his commute easier. You know everything about him?

 

[jjs07]

But nah this is a scam this is all fake

Impossible

Dude should of just got a bike, problem solved.

Get a job across the street from your house, simple.

So you're acting like it's wrong to give the man advice on possibilities to make his commute easier. You know everything about him?

He obviously doesn't, but people were making some crazy assumptions about the guy with NO facts or even the slightest attempt to understand his struggle.

 

[tr1ll]

Can we get this man a raise doe?

 

[blastercombo]

You mean to tell me it's impossible for a news team to embellish a story for the sake of news entertainment? Na'ah, not in America!


"Prove its fake!"

He's getting 100K, prove its 100% real

Dudes in his work place claiming they're like "family" yet don't give the guy a ride? Just driving by the dude on the way over?

Dom never turns his back on family

 

[heliumclinton]

But nah this is a scam this is all fake

Impossible

Dude should of just got a bike, problem solved.

Get a job across the street from your house, simple.

So you're acting like it's wrong to give the man advice on possibilities to make his commute easier. You know everything about him?

"Yeah dudes a idiot or mentally ******ed if he doesn't ride a bike"

that's some real great advice

 

[urbetterthenme]

You mean to tell me it's impossible for a news team to embellish a story for the sake of news entertainment? Na'ah, not in America!


"Prove its fake!"

He's getting 100K, prove its 100% real

Dudes in his work place claiming they're like "family" yet don't give the guy a ride? Just driving by the dude on the way over?

Dom never turns his back on family

Did you even read the story? Mutiple people have given him rides this year but for the most part he declines. Like I said, yall dont even be knowing facts but just talk. Shameless

 

[jjs07]

You mean to tell me it's impossible for a news team to embellish a story for the sake of news entertainment? Na'ah, not in America!


"Prove its fake!"

He's getting 100K, prove its 100% real

Dudes in his work place claiming they're like "family" yet don't give the guy a ride? Just driving by the dude on the way over?

Dom never turns his back on family

Maybe you should read the articles posted.

 

[cashbanks]

I'm calling ********

 

[superblytrife]

Which brings me back to my original question?

Instead of getting him a car, why dont they push to get this man a raise or promotion so he can buy his own car or bike?

How does the saying go? "Give a man a fish and he'll eat for a day, teach him out to fish and he'll eat forever.."

Why are you asking these questions to random dudes on NT though?  Just to argue?  

We get it--buying him a car isn't the best idea in your opinion.  But for someone else, it is.  Let them cook.  It isn't like they're doing bad by the guy.  A working car will greatly improve dude's quality of life.  

Like I said, some of you are amazing.  Always finding the negative.  

 

[oidreez]

But nah this is a scam this is all fake

Impossible

Dude should of just got a bike, problem solved.

Get a job across the street from your house, simple.

So you're acting like it's wrong to give the man advice on possibilities to make his commute easier. You know everything about him?

"Yeah dudes a idiot or mentally ******ed if he doesn't ride a bike"

that's some real great advice

I wouldnt call the guy names but I agree with the bike suggestion.

 

[blastercombo]

"Yeah dudes a idiot or mentally ******ed if he doesn't ride a bike"

that's some real great advice

It's not, but your "what do you do with a bike on a bus?" rebuttal was along those ridiculous lines too.

 

[tr1ll]

Which brings me back to my original question?

Instead of getting him a car, why dont they push to get this man a raise or promotion so he can buy his own car or bike?

How does the saying go? "Give a man a fish and he'll eat for a day, teach him out to fish and he'll eat forever.."

Why are you asking these questions to random dudes on NT though?  Just to argue?  

We get it--buying him a car isn't the best idea in your opinion.  But for someone else, it is.  Let them cook.  It isn't like they're doing bad by the guy.  A working car will greatly improve dude's quality of life.  

Like I said, some of you are amazing.  Always finding the negative.  

If people can get together to get him a car people can get together to find him another job or at least petition to get him a raise.

Everybody reaching out to help except the people he's doing it for, but we not supposed to look at that. How has he been working there for 10 years and still barely making $10/hr? Oh Im just being negative.

We not even gonna talk about the dealership, name droppin like like a mofo, offering a car. (Shoot out to everyone how offered anonymously)

The article dude posted stated most people in Detroit cant afford insurance, wtf is giving a car gonna do?

Just a bunch of people taking advantage of his situation in order to make themselves feel good.

 

[superblytrife]

 

 

Which brings me back to my original question?

Instead of getting him a car, why dont they push to get this man a raise or promotion so he can buy his own car or bike?

How does the saying go? "Give a man a fish and he'll eat for a day, teach him out to fish and he'll eat forever.."

Why are you asking these questions to random dudes on NT though?  Just to argue?  

We get it--buying him a car isn't the best idea in your opinion.  But for someone else, it is.  Let them cook.  It isn't like they're doing bad by the guy.  A working car will greatly improve dude's quality of life.  

Like I said, some of you are amazing.  Always finding the negative.  

If people can get together to get him a car people can get together to find him another job or at least petition to get him a raise.

Everybody reaching out to help except the people he's doing it for, but we not supposed to look at that. How has he been working there for 10 years and still barely making $10/hr? Oh Im just being negative.

We not even gonna talk about the dealership, name droppin like like a mofo, offering a car. (Shoot out to everyone how offered anonymously)

The article dude posted stated most people in Detroit cant afford insurance, wtf is giving a car gonna do?

Just a bunch of people taking advantage of his situation in order to make themselves feel good.

1.  Why don't YOU petition for him to get a raise?  If you're gonna criticize what people are doing and then offer better alternatives, DO SOMETHING.  Otherwise, yes, you're being negative.

2.  The guy has over 100k raised for him so far.  You really think none of that will go towards insurance?  Think a little bit before you type, man.  Sheesh.  

3.  Answer this for me:  WHAT IS IT HURTING TO GET THIS MAN A RELIABLE VEHICLE?  IS IT GOING TO HELP IMPROVE HIS LIFE OR WILL IT HURT HIM?  

 

[thegr8blkhope]

Leg game must be on fleek.

I need pics for motivation; it's leg day.

 

[importfan90000]

update on story: reading is critical to some on NT

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/...it-man-walking-commute-funds-raised/22788543/ 

 

[dman14]

it's cool to see ppl coming thru for him.

Spoiler: Warning: Spoiler!

View media item 1383452

 

[superblytrife]

So he makes $10.55/hour in 2015.  Minimum wage is now $8.15/hour in Michigan.

His car quit running in 2005.  Minimum wage in Michigan was $5.15/hour at that time.

So I guess we can probably throw the "never got a raise" thing out the window, right?  

 

[tr1ll]

So he makes $10.55/hour in 2015.  Minimum wage is now $8.15/hour in Michigan.

His car quit running in 2005.  Minimum wage in Michigan was $5.15/hour at that time.

So I guess we can probably throw the "never got a raise" thing out the window, right?  

Yea you're right.

We'll see how this works out.

 

[freeze]

I'm calling ********

your call has been forwarded to a voice messaging ser....

 

[dh1water]

something missing from this whole story...not adding up 

 

[Bert.]

So he makes $10.55/hour in 2015.  Minimum wage is now $8.15/hour in Michigan.

His car quit running in 2005.  Minimum wage in Michigan was $5.15/hour at that time.

So I guess we can probably throw the "never got a raise" thing out the window, right?  

I mean maybe im missing something. what about his bills? cost of a used car, gas?

hes barely making anything. Im not sure of his living sitiatuon but its gotta be tough regardless. Even buying a old used car, what are you gonna do when its got issues that cost money?

I mean this story is hard to believe but meh