But James Robertson, whose 21-mile round-trip work commute garnered worldwide attention and more than $300,000 in donations, got more than just lunch.
The 56-year-old is now the owner of a brand new 2015 Ford Taurus.
Blake Pollack, who befriended Robertson 1½ years ago and has helped drive him to media interviews all week, helped pull off the surprise, suggesting they stop by a car dealership after lunch to pick up some brochures and start researching cars.
Robertson and Pollack were joined by Evan Leedy, the college student who set up a GoFundMe page on Robertson’s behalf. They walked into Suburban Ford in Sterling Heights, Michigan, and instead of brochures, saw a shiny red car topped with a big bow.
“There must’ve been 200 people there to welcome him,” Pollack said. “I though he was going to fall over.”
When asked if he liked his new car, which has already been insured, Pollack said Robertson was quite clear.
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“This money that is being given to him — he earned every penny of it,” Leedy said, just by his work ethic and his attitude.
He’s been making the arduous 21-mile commute between Detroit and Rochester Hills since his 1988 Honda Accord gave up on him, but not anymore.
Before receiving the car Friday, Robertson said the addition of a car to his life would mean a lot more sleep. But he loves where he works, so he has no plans to change much else.
“I can’t imagine not working,” Robertson said. “It’s what I’ve always done.”
Robertson, in his message, said he never expected as much support as he has received. He encouraged people to look out for one another.
“If this story will touch at least one person and inspire them to do something out of the goodness of their heart, I will be the happiest person alive,” he said.
