A New Hampshire woman raised more than $200,000 for a 90-year-old veteran who pawned jewelry to care for his wife with dementia.
Jenelle Marie filmed disabled Air Force veteran Donald as he attempted to pawn jewelry at US Gold and Pawn in Manchester to pay off debts he’d accrued while caring for his ailing wife, who was recently diagnosed with dementia.
Marie started a GoFundMe after finding out that Donald’s landlord had raised his rent and that he was “terribly behind on all his bills.” He feared he would lose his home.
“He is terrified that he will be displaced and that they will have to send his wife to a home,” she wrote.
Earlier this week, she surprised him with an envelope containing $1,300, which she had raised during the fundraiser before it went viral.
“I could kiss you,” Donald says as he places the envelope on a video posted on TikTok. Tears well up in his eyes as he realizes what’s in the package and starts counting it. ‘Oh my god.’
Jenelle Marie (right) raised more than $200,000 for Air Force Veteran, Donald (center). Donald, who turns 91 later this month, fell behind on his bills after his landlord raised his rent and he tried to care for his ailing wife.
When he hears the amount, his face softens and he continues to insist that she “can’t do that.”
“Listen, I can’t let you do this for me,” he tells her, his voice thick with emotion. “I’ll never be able to thank you.”
As Donald is lost for words, Marie tells him, “I know you’re going through a hard time, I know you’re trying to take care of your wife. I appreciate you [military] employ.’
Thanks to the generous offer, which was supported by Marie, her fiancé and about 25 other people, Donald only had to pay off $80 in debt and was able to keep his jewelry.
“You’re an angel in disguise, you really are,” he says to Marie. “I don’t know what to say, I really don’t know what to say.”
He then tells Marie that he told a man named Hector that “the lady in the store is a truly wonderful person.”
“This is the best birthday present anyone has ever had!” he exclaims. Donald turns 91 on August 25.
In a video, Marie handed him $1,300, which GoFundMe had originally raised before it skyrocketed to hundreds of thousands. “You’re an angel in disguise, you really are,” he tells Marie
The Air Force veteran, who has no children of his own, insisted that he take Marie out to dinner if he could afford it, but she politely declined, saying that she and the other donors just wanted to help him.
“If I could ever get out from under this big rock that’s on top of me, I could take better care of my wife,” he told Marie. “Right now, there are things I should be doing that I can’t afford to do. It really bothers me. I just feel really bad about it.”
“You’re doing great,” Marie reassures him.
“I’m trying,” he replies.
Marie is also helping Donald find a new, more affordable home for him and his wife, and has even looked into Section 8 housing for them, she said. Today in the US.
“I looked at all kinds of facilities, even Section 8 housing for him, but the waiting lists are too long,” she said.
“I’m so grateful for everything you’ve done for me,” he said. “Thank you so much. God bless you.”
In a follow-up video, Donald, along with Marie and her fiancé, hold up a giant check for $250,000, raised through a GoFundMe campaign.
“I am so grateful for everything you have done for me,” he said. “Thank you very much. God bless you.”
The fundraiser has now raised more than $285,000, with 11,600 donations as of Saturday morning.
“When I told him the amount, it was just pure hysteria from both of us. It was a truly beautiful and emotional moment, something I will never forget.”