Man Retires After 42 Years From Minimum Wage Job and Only Receives a Measly BBQ - So a Co-worker Saves the Day
"You never know what can happen when you speak up for those who will not."
For more than FOUR DECADES, John Bartlett (who is now in his 70s), hopped aboard a bus and a train to commute to his minimum-wage job at a factory in California.
At an average of 40 hours per week for 42 years John spent approximately 84,000 HOURS of his life at the same job. Talk about dedication.
And to "reward" him for his many, many years of loyalty, the company gave him...a BBQ. Oh, and a certificate. I wish I was joking.
Shocked by the company's appallingly meager show of appreciation for a lifetime served, John's colleague, Soniah, took to TikTok to voice her frustration. And that's when one voice became thousands.
When a Company Failed, a Colleague Stepped Up
@m3nta11y1ll1 This was sad to see him leave with just a piece of paper saying he worked for 42 years.
In a TikTok video that's gone insanely viral with over 8.5 million views, Soniah shared a clip of John on his last day of work. In a text overlay, she wrote:
"Today is my coworker's last day. He worked for this company for 42 years making minimum wage."
She explained that despite his dedication, the company "only threw him a BBQ and gave him a certificate."
She ended it with:
"He loves working here so much he didn't want to retire — No bonus, just a barbecue and a certificate. Don't be a slave to your job. Thank you John for your loyalty."
TikTokers rallied in support. Thousands of commenters immediately wanted to know what they could do to make John's retirement better.
GoFundMe Campaign Raises Over $83K and Counting
After doing some investigating, Soniah reveals in a TikTok update that John did, in fact, receive a small bonus, writing: "After investigation, I found out that he received a bonus, however, it was nothing compared to his 42 years of service."
However, Soniah, still angered by the company's paltry response, wasn't having it. She started a GoFundMe campaign for John and unleashed a tidal wave of humanity.
"John who is 70+ is one of the most talented & hard working co workers I know. His energy is unmatched! Mr. John worked for 42 years for our company. Rain or shine, he will make it to work! Extremely dependable! It doesn’t matter how much we would suggest to take his vacation days, he would still want to work!"
John Bartlett's GoFundMe Campaign
Soniah also revealed that John is a bachelor and doesn't have any children but he does have a nephew "whom he loves dearly."
She asked for people to donate or just send positive vibes and encouragement.
The people answered. Donations flooded in from all over the world, including Costa Rica, the UK, and Germany.
"Your hard work and dedication is an inspiration, John! We need more like you in the world. All the best to you from NYC!" wrote one person.
“Happy retirement, John. You deserve more than what this company has offered you. Wish you all the best in your life and your future,” another person commented along with their donation.
It seems a lot of people felt the same way. In less than three days, the campaign surpassed its initial goal of $28,000, raising over $36,000.
It is currently sitting at $83,135 and climbing.
The Power of One Person Doing the Right Thing
What began as a sad tale highlighting corporate greed and the underappreciated loyalty and hard work of one man (who let's face it, represents so many others out there) turned into a heartwarming story of kindness and showing up.
In a follow-up video Soniah shares that she has transferred the GoFundMe over to John. A man of very few words, John merely smiles humbly and nods as Soniah tells him that his story has inspired the world.
@m3nta11y1ll1 A true legend. If you didnt hear the full story from my page, do not belive anything else. Day 1s have know we did this together start to finish. Spotlight on the Donors !!! Great work !!! ♥️🫶🏽🙌🙏
While it's unclear what John plans to do with the money, what is clear is that he deserves every last penny.
"Mr. John did so much for us without asking. He is so selfless, you ask him for a hand and he will give you two!!!" Soniah wrote, adding: "God bless this man and protect him at all costs."
Indeed.
In the face of gross corporate indifference, it's nice to know that humanity still prevails. Thanks to the power of one person willing to fight back, the life of a man who literally dedicated his lifetime to his work for very little in return has been incredibly changed for the better.
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Woman holding her child's clothing.Marla Branyan / @marla_branyan
Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.