Internet rallies, raises money for man who walks 21 miles a day to work

For 10 years, James Robertson walked 21 miles to and from his factory job in the Detroit suburbs, never complaining and even having perfect attendance despite the arduous journey. He never thought that one day, a newspaper would share his story, changing his life forever.

A banker who would offer him rides when their paths crossed told the Detroit Free Press they should write a profile on Robertson, 56, and the rest is history: His story and work ethic touched readers so much that one, college student Evan Leedy, set up a GoFundMe page that has already raised $250,000 in donations. "I am always going to be in your debt," Robertson told Leedy when they met on Monday. "I will never forget this."

Robertson's Honda broke down in 2005 and he couldn't afford to repair it, so when his company moved to a different area, he had to rely on short bus routes and his feet to get to work. Now, Robertson is being offered cars by local dealerships, and the money that's been raised will go toward auto insurance, gas, maintenance, and likely medical and dental expenses. Even with his newfound riches, Robertson won't quit his $10.55-an-hour job, saying he loves his co-workers and bosses too much, and he also won't leave the central Detroit neighborhood where he has always lived. "I've seen what happens when people get money," he said. "My dad, God rest his soul, he still influences me. He's not going to let me get haughty."

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