Bob CollinsJames Robertson, 56, works at a factory in Rochester Hills, Michigan. He takes a bus part of the way from Detroit and then commutes daily by foot.
Twenty-one miles.
He hasn’t missed a day of work in 10 years.
The Detroit Free Press told his story in a video on Sunday.
It’s the life Robertson has led for the last decade, ever since his 1988 Honda Accord quit on him.
Every trip is an ordeal of mental and physical toughness for this soft-spoken man with a perfect attendance record at work. And every day is a tribute to how much he cares about his job, his boss and his coworkers. Robertson’s daunting walks and bus rides, in all kinds of weather, also reflect the challenges some metro Detroiters face in getting to work in a region of limited bus service, and where car ownership is priced beyond the reach of many.
But you won’t hear Robertson complain — nor his boss.
By Sunday night, an online fund drive had raised $30,000, $5,000 more than the goal to help the man.
A car dealer offered a free car, others volunteered to donate theirs, and another person offered to drive him to work and then pick him up. Every day.
As of midmorning today, the online fund drive was up to $167,000.
Update 4:14 p.m. – It’s now up to $232,000.
