Woman Raises $174K for Disabled Vet Working at Airport

LaCinda Thackery couldn't stop thinking about the man she saw hobbling across the tarmac at John Wayne Airport in Los Angeles. His painful limp as he worked broke her heart, so she did what millions do today: she posted a video asking for help.

The video went viral on TikTok, racking up millions of views. Comments flooded in asking how they could help the unidentified worker who could barely walk.

Soon someone recognized him as James Blair, a Navy veteran who served from 1980 to 1990. At 64, Blair had worked as a fuel mechanic at the airport since 2006 despite having two deteriorated knees that made every step agony.

Blair couldn't retire even though he was close to qualifying for Social Security and a military pension. His income was helping cover his elderly mother's hospice care, leaving him trapped between his body giving out and his family's needs.

Thackery reached out through Blair's boss, who drove 90 minutes to help the veteran set up a GoFundMe since Blair had neither a smartphone nor social media. She shared the fundraiser with her millions of followers, and the response was immediate.

Within days, over 6,000 people donated more than $174,000 to help Blair retire. Thackery met him in person to hand him a check, and the moment left both of them emotional.

Sunny's Take

Blair told KSL News the unexpected blessing restored his faith in something bigger than himself. "I believed in God, but I didn't really believe in God," he said, sitting next to Thackery. "But now, with the angel sitting next to you, it's amazing."

What moved Blair most wasn't just the money but knowing people gave what they could barely spare. "I have a hard time working to pay bills, so other people probably have the same problems," he said. "When they're giving money they really can't spare, that amazes me."

Blair sent Thackery flowers addressed simply to "The Angel." He hasn't retired just yet, but he did buy himself something he desperately needed: a new bed to rest his aching body.

Sometimes the smallest act of noticing someone's struggle can spark thousands of people to show up and help.