Oldfield launched a heartfelt GoFundMe campaign to support Wendall and his grandchildren, sharing an emotional video in which Wendall opened up about the pain of losing his wife and his dedication to caring for his grandsons. In his Facebook appeal, Oldfield emphasized Wendall’s financial struggles, including the costs of burying his wife and supporting two dependent adults.
“Wendall works tirelessly in the store, burdened by the memories of the restroom incident he has to clean every day,” Oldfield wrote on the GoFundMe page. “He feels trapped, with no financial means to move forward.”
The campaign quickly gained momentum on social media, raising over $80,000 in just a few days. The funds allowed Wendall to pay off the van he used to transport his grandsons. By the end of the campaign, Oldfield had collected $115,520 from more than 2,000 donors, with additional contributions covering Della’s headstone and Wendall’s mortgage payments.
Oldfield credited the campaign’s success to the community’s deep affection for Wendall, stating that the elderly man deserved to live without financial stress and focus on his family. After the fundraiser, Oldfield announced Wendall’s retirement on the GoFundMe page, giving him the opportunity to spend more time caring for his grandsons.