Viral picture of pensioner, 80, selling fire wood to pay off his dead wife’s medical bills sparks GoFundMe campaign
Kenneth Smith lost his spouse to cancer last year and has now been lumbered with huge debts
AN elderly widow stands alone on the side of the road selling fire wood to pay off his dead wife’s medical bills.
Pictures of Kenneth Smith, 80, at the side of a busy highway in Mississippi has sparked an outpouring of sympathy online.
His family has now set up a social media campaign to raise money to help the pensioner pay off his debts.
Jessica Pittman, who took the photograph of Kenneth, shared the heartbreaking image on Facebook.
Her post read: “If y’all (sic) need any kindling wood please come buy from this precious 80 year old elderly man.
“His name is Kenneth. He parks on the corner of Carl Leggett and West Taylor Rd… He is there every day for hours. Selling for $5 a bag.”
She explained that the elderly gent had been selling the wood with his sick wife all last year to help cover her medical costs.
But after his spouse lost her brave cancer battle, Kenneth continues to sell the kindling wood to pay off his exorbitant debts.
She added: “My heart breaks every time I pass him. He waves at every single car that passes.”
“Friday I was at the stop sign as a funeral procession was passing by. And he was standing alert with his straw hat over his heart. Precious man.”
And the campaign has already smashed its target of $60,000 after 2,000 people donated.
Leslie said: “He has always been a hard working man all of his life.
“His wife (my step-mom) has been battling cancer for a few years.
He was selling kindling fire wood to make ends meet. On a fixed income of social security alone, it can be hard to do.
“His wife lost her battle with cancer a few weeks ago and now his income has been cut in half.
“They spent their life savings during her cancer battle.
“He is still selling fire wood for extra income but some people have asked if they could help him out so this is the reason I have setup this account for him.”
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