Detroit Man Who Walked 21 Miles To Work Everyday Gets New Car

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With no public transportation available to his job location and with no money for a car, 56-year-old James Robertson spent the last 10+ years of his life walking a staggering 21 miles to and from work each and every day.

Since buses don’t cover the entire 23-mile route, Robertson has spent approx. 6 hours commuting each way during the week to his $10.55 an hour factory job in Rochester Hills.  His trek typically begins at 8am, walking 21 miles to his 2pm to 10pm shift at Schain Mold & Engineering.  And if that’s not enough, Robertson has maintained a perfect attendance record.

“I set our attendance standard by this man,” Todd Wilson, plant manager at Schain Mold & Engineering said. “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!”

Robertson’s exhaustive commute to the plant began in 2005, when his 1988 Honda Accord quit on him. He didn’t replace it because he simply couldn’t afford to.

“I keep a rhythm in my head,” Robertson said of his near-marathon daily slog.  He also stays caffeinated “by downing 2-liter bottles of Mountain Dew and cans of Coke.”

By the time he gets home, at 4 am, it’s almost time to do it all over again.

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The story inspired Evan Leedy, a 19-year-old computer science major at Wayne State University, who set up a campaign on the crowdfunding website GoFundMe with a goal of raising $5,000 to help buy Robertson a used car. Within an hour, more than $2,000 was raised. Then the story went viral, with donations pouring in from all over the world.

Last Friday, thinking he was being taken to meet friends for lunch, Robertson instead got the surprise of his life when his actual destination was a local Detroit car dealership.

With well over $300,000 of donation dollars raised, Robertson walked into Suburban Ford in Sterling Heights, Michigan to find 200 family and friends co-workers, members of the press and a brand new 2015 Ford Taurus wrapped in a bright bow.  The car was paid for in full, complete with license, title and insurance fees, as well as enough money left over to fund gasoline for his commute to work for the rest of his life.

When asked if he liked his new car, an emotional Robertson said “I don’t like it.  I love it!”

Robertson’s new set of wheels came from the generosity of strangers who were inspired by his story. “We could use more men like James Robertson in this world,” wrote donor Betty Blanchard. “Thank you for inspiring me and hopefully tons of other people to persevere in the face of adversity,” said contributor Kevin Lemelle. “You are a true American hero.”

“Everybody calls me the inspiration,” Robertson said, “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. You guys are the heroes.”

He added “If this story will touch at least one person and inspire them to do something out of the goodness of their heart, I will be the happiest person alive.”