A western Maryland businessman raised more than $140,000 to help 82-year-old Butch Marion finally retire from Walmart.
CUMBERLAND, Md. — In the midst of all the anger and sadness in the world, sometimes a story pops up to remind you how many wonderful and generous people still exist.
An 82-year-old Walmart cashier in La Vale, Maryland is finally able to retire thanks to the kindness of strangers.
Butch Marion, a widower and Navy veteran, was working 40-hour weeks as everyone’s favorite cashier at the supercenter near Cumberland, in the western part of the state, until he met Rory McCarty.
“He was working an 8-hour shift that day,” McCarty said. “He just blew my mind.”
The chance meeting in the checkout line changed both their lives.
McCarty, who owns the Bug Boys pest company and has a large following on TikTok, had heard of a woman raising money on GoFundMe to help working seniors retire.
“Now imagine if someone raised that kind of money for you.” she told Butch in his first video of him about him.
“It is for real?” Butch asked.
“You better believe it’s real,” McCarty replied.
@bug_boys
It’s amazing that people keep donating. Almost another $10,000 the last 2 days. Looks like I’m going to give Butch another check. Gofundme link in my bio #fyp #foryou #foryoupage #foryourpage #fy #fypage #retire #walmart #butch #veteran #navy
♬ original sound – BugBoys
He posted Butch’s story on GoFundMe and the donations poured in. As of Tuesday afternoon, nearly 6,000 people had contributed more than $140,000. The message spread globally, with donations coming from Sweden, Germany and Brazil.
“I love you,” Butch said through tears as McCarty handed him the first check for $108,682.
“I never in a million years thought it would be the way it was,” Butch told WUSA9 on Tuesday.
After 16 years at Walmart, Butch gave his two-week notice and retired. Butch and McCarty hope his story will inspire others
“If everyone could do what we’ve seen, this would be a wonderful world,” Butch said.
“Anyone can do this,” McCarty added.
So what’s next for Butch after saying goodbye to Walmart?
“My plans are to go to Florida, see my kids and grandkids. Do some fishing. Take a trip to Cancun, I think.”
But then he will return to Cumberland, spending time with old friends.
“You have a lifetime membership here at my farm mate,” McCarty tells her in one of his TikTok videos, before the two roar off down a dirt road in McCarty’s ATV. Butch continues to smile.
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Source: news.google.com