Money is pouring into a GoFundMe account set up for a humble Burger King worker seen in a viral video receiving a movie ticket, pens, and candy for putting in 27 years apparently without ever taking a sick day.
Donors include comic actor David Spade, who chipped in $5,000 after seeing a report on Ford, who has been a cook and cashier at the chain’s Las Vegas McCarran International Airport location since the 1990s and reportedly has never called in sick. As of Saturday, the account set up by Ford’s daughter, Seryna, was closing in on six figures.
“THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! For even watching the video! I love you my brother!!! Much love and God Bless… I think might be able to take a day off,” Ford wrote to the comic after Spade dropped his generous donation.
Burger King employee trends after video shows that he was gifted a goodie bag for his 27 years of work dedicated to the company pic.twitter.com/MLJiW21yKE
— My Mixtapez (@mymixtapez) June 21, 2022
Ford started working at the restaurant nearly three decades ago after he gained custody of his children, Seryna Ford wrote on the GoFundMe page. He succeeded, and needed the health insurance the job provided to raise them when he remarried and his family grew.
“[It] got all four of his daughters through high school and college with full healthcare coverage,” she wrote. “My dad continues to work here, because though he does look young, he is coming up on retirement age and leaving would cost him his retirement. In no way are we asking for money or is he expecting any money but if anyone feels like blessing him he would love to visit his grandchildren.”
The story blew up when Ford posted a video online showing him receiving plastic bag containing a movie ticket, some Lifesavers and Reese’s Pieces candy, a Starbucks travel mug, a lanyard, and some pens from his employer.
“Loyalty pays off,” he wrote in a note accompanying the video.
But when the clip went viral, most viewers didn’t see the reward as fitting for Ford’s years of service and mocked the company on social media. According to Today, the gift bag was not from Burger King, but from the food service company that Ford works for Burger King through.
Seryna Ford said the outpouring of generosity for her dad has touched the family.
“I’m here trying to get through dinner without crying! You are such remarkable people,’ Seryna Ford wrote in a GoFundMe update. “I seriously can’t believe this. Y’all are changing his life!”
Spade, in a private exchange obtained by TMZ, joked to Ford that he should wait until he reaches 30 years’ of service before requesting time off.
“Damn, are you one of my managers???” Ford quipped in a reply. “Thank you again, Sir… Have a great day.”