If you think your commute is bad, you haven't met Detroit native James Robertson. Since the factory worker's car broke down ten years ago, he has been commuting a total of 21 miles a day on foot just to get to work and back.
Since a story on Robertson's daily journey, which also includes a short bus ride, ran in the Detroit Free Press on Sunday, people have reached out from all over to see what they can do.
A social media fundraiser started on GoFundMe to help buy Robertson a car has raised well over $284,000 at press time. Robertson told the newspaper he'd like to buy an American car from either Lincoln, Ford, GM, or Dodge eventually.
"Thank you for inspiring me and hopefully tons of other people to persevere in the face of adversity," said a contributor by the name of Kevin LeMelle on GoFundMe. "You are a true American hero."
Robertson had been driving a 1988 Honda Accord up until 2005, but the repairs were too costly, so he couldn't get it fixed.
The cost of car insurance in Detroit doesn't help either. A nationwide survey conducted by CarInsurance.com recently showed that car insurance in Detroit is the costliest in the nation, with an average of $5,000 a year.
Robertson has a perfect attendance record at his job where he earns $10.55 an hour. He's been such a model employee his boss sets his company attendance standard by Robertson.
"I set our attendance standard by this man," Todd Wilson, plant manager at the engineering factory, told the Free Press. "I say, if this man can get here, walking all those miles through snow and rain, well I'll tell you, I have people in Pontiac 10 minutes away and they say they can't get here -- bull!"
After learning about Robertson's commute, local dealerships, like the Rodgers Chevrolet in Woodhaven, MI and Suburban Collection in Troy, MI, decided to offer Robertson a free car. Some people have also made offers to buy Robertson bus tickets.
"Everybody calls me the inspiration, but to those who have been great enough to donate and everything ... it was really so welcome that I don't know what to tell you," Robertson said in a video message posted on the Free Press website. "You guys are the heroes."
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