Oldfield initiated a GoFundMe campaign for Wendall and his children, sharing a heartfelt video where Wendall expressed his anguish over losing his wife and caring for his grandsons. Oldfield appealed for donations on Facebook, stressing Wendall’s financial struggles in burying his wife and supporting two dependent adults.
“Wendall continues working tirelessly in the store, haunted by the memories of the restroom incident he must clean daily,” Oldfield detailed on the GoFundMe page. “He’s trapped, with no financial means to escape.”
Wendall’s plight quickly gained traction on social media, resulting in over $80,000 raised within days. This enabled Wendall to pay off the van used for transporting his grandsons. Ultimately, Oldfield amassed $115,520 from over 2,000 donors, with additional contributions pouring in for Della’s headstone and Wendall’s mortgage payments.
Oldfield attributed the campaign’s success to the community’s love for Wendall, expressing his belief that the elderly man should no longer fret about finances but focus on his family. Following the fundraiser’s conclusion, Oldfield announced Wendall’s retirement on the GoFundMe page, allowing him to dedicate more time to his grandsons’ care