BRIGHTON, Mich. (AP) — Ed Bambas will soon ring up his last can of corn.

The 88-year-old Michigan grocery worker was handed an oversized check for $1.7 million Friday, the result of a remarkable fundraising campaign organized by a young Australian man with an extraordinary following on social media.

“No, no,” Bambas said, wiping tears from his eyes. “Thank you. Oh, my God.”

Sam Weidenhofer, 22, utilized his significant social media presence during a visit to the United States to spread kindness and raise funds for Bambas.

He met Bambas at a Meijer store in Brighton about two weeks ago and recorded a TikTok video for his 7.7 million followers, where the former General Motors retiree shared the story of why he continues working as he nears 90, following his wife's passing from a chronic illness in 2018.

“I don’t have enough income,” Bambas explained in the video.

In response, Weidenhofer launched a GoFundMe campaign, urging people to lend a helping hand to Bambas. “His story is a stark reminder that too many of our seniors, especially veterans, face incredible challenges just to survive,” Weidenhofer stated.

The fundraising effort was overwhelming, bringing in more than 15,000 donations ranging from $10 to $10,000.

“It means a terrible burden,” Bambas humorously told reporters. “I have to find everybody and say, ‘thank you.’”

Bambas began working at Meijer aging 82 to help cope with his wife's death. He shared stories with customers to maintain his spirits throughout the grieving process.

“I talk to everybody that came through my cashier line because it helped me not become despondent on her loss. ... I gave them a piece of my life story,” he reminisced.

After learning about Bambas, a former regular customer named Lexi Wallace prompted Weidenhofer to find him. “I thought his name was Bob. He never corrected me,” she shared, recalling her fond experiences visiting his checkout line.

Now financially secure, Bambas plans to take care of $225,000 in debt and intends to reunite with his brother and play golf again. As for his job, he’s not quitting just yet, aiming to work for a month or two more. “I’ll probably work another month or two and then shut things down,” he said.

“It feels like a dream,” Weidenhofer expressed about the outcome of his campaign, reflecting the unexpected impact of social media in changing lives.