The homeless veteran who received over $365k in donations wants to use it to help others

You may have heard about Johnny Bobbitt, a man whose generous and selfless act has attracted tons of media attention in the last few days. Now, the homeless veteran who’s received over $365k in donations wants to use it to help others. Talk about the true spirit of Thanksgiving.

It all started when a 27-year-old woman named Kate McClure ran out of gas and became stranded on a Pennsylvania highway at night. Bobbitt used his last $20 to get her gas. “He saw me pull over and knew something was wrong,” McClure wrote on her GoFundMe campaign page for Bobbitt. “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 to make sure I could get home safe.” After the homeless veteran paid it forward for McClure, she did the same for him.

Since that night, McClure and her boyfriend, Mark D’Amico, have visited Bobbitt several times at the exit ramp where she ran out of gas. In addition to paying him back, they’ve also brought him everything from warm winter clothes to toiletries to money and gift cards. But they wanted to do more.

On November 10th, McClure created a GoFundMe campaign for Bobbitt — and the response has been overwhelming.

McClure’s original goal was to raise $10,000. But as of this writing, she’s raised over $365,000 — all from over 13,000 people in just 15 days.

“With the money, I would like to get him first and last month’s rent at an apartment, a reliable vehicle, and 4-6 months worth of expenses,” the GoFundMe campaign page continues. “Truly believe that all Johnny needs is one little break. Hopefully with your help I can be the one to give it to him.”

Bobbitt is a veteran and used to work as a firefighter and a paramedic. According to ABC News, he moved to Philadelphia with a job, but it fell through. After that, his apartment fell through too, and he found himself living on the streets. But now, he’d like to get re-certified as a paramedic.

What does Bobbitt think about all the attention his story is getting?

McClure also set up meetings for Bobbitt with a lawyer and a financial planner. But Bobbitt does not plan to keep all the money for himself.

Bobbitt and McClure appeared together on Good Morning America this morning, Sunday, November 26th.

We’re grateful to both of them for reminding us that a little kindness goes a long way.