Everyone needs a little help sometimes, and for 82-year-old Navy veteran Butch Marion, that help came in the form of strangers. After crossing paths with 53-year-old Rory McCarty at a Walmart in Maryland, McCarty shared Marion’s story on TikTok. He started a GoFundMe campaign and within weeks had raised more than $108,000 to pay off Marion’s debts and ensure his retirement.
Marion has worked at his local Walmart since he retired from the Navy 20 years ago. He did so to make ends meet and provide for himself and his family. Little did he know that one fateful day in December would change his life forever. That day, Rory McCarty entered the store to buy batteries. After an inspiring exchange between the two men, McCarty decided to start a GoFundMe campaign for Marion with his blessing.
McCarty initially set out to raise $30,000 for Marion but was blown away by the response from people all over the world who wanted to contribute money towards helping him achieve financial freedom. In no time at all, donations soared past that initial goal of $30K and even hit more than $108K—allowing Marion to fully retire without any debt or financial worries.
Social media has incredible power when used properly; it can be used as a tool for good rather than just entertainment. In this instance, it allowed Butch Marion’s story to reach millions of people around the world who were able to donate money for an incredibly worthy cause—helping someone who gave so much during his service in the Navy finally get back some of what he deserved after all these years.
It’s truly remarkable what can be accomplished when we come together with kindness and generosity—especially in times like these when we’re living through such trying circumstances. We can always choose love over hate, hope over despair—and kindness over apathy—to make this world a better place for everyone who lives here. Butch Marions’ story is proof that even small acts of kindness have big impacts on those around us!
