After not missing work for 27 years, a Burger King worker has received over $400,000 in crowdfunded donations to compensate for the inadequate recognition by his employer.
Last June, Kevin Ford, an employed cook and cashier at the Burger King in Las Vegas McCarran International Airport, gained widespread attention on TikTok for his video revealing he hadn’t taken a day off from work in almost 30 years.
Since then, Ford has received over 13,500 donations, raking in $402,560, including $5,000 from “Saturday Night Live” alum David Spade.
In the viral video, the 55-year-old grandfather of four showcased the gifts from HMSHost, the chain’s hiring company, that included inexpensive items in a plastic drawstring backpack, including a movie ticket, Starbucks cup, Reese’s candy, Life Savers packets, chocolate cake, pens, and keychains.
Although the rewards were not impressive, Ford displayed a highly optimistic and appreciative attitude in the video. His cheerful demeanor on social media prompted his daughter, Seryna, to set up a GoFundMe page, inviting individuals to contribute if they “feel like blessing him.”
“My dad continues to work there because though he does look young, he is coming up on retirement age, and leaving would cost him his retirement,” Seryna wrote.
Earlier this year, Ford shared that he could travel to Texas to see his grandchildren thanks to the contributions, an experience he described as a life-altering event.
“The miracle of the generosity of so many people worldwide has allowed me to save for retirement and my children’s and grandchildren’s futures and even to someday soon own my own home dreams really can come true,” he added.
