In a heartwarming display of employee commitment, a Burger King cook garnered viral attention last year for an incredible feat: celebrating 27 years of uninterrupted work, never missing a single day. Kevin Ford, based at the McCarran International Airport branch in Las Vegas, captured the milestone in a TikTok video, showing the gifts he received from his employer, including keychains, pens, a movie ticket, and some sweets.
Despite the gesture, Ford felt that his long-standing dedication wasn’t being fully recognized. When the video gained significant traction, comments poured in suggesting that the gifts were inadequate and that Ford deserved more recognition for his years of service.
Moved by the overwhelming response and determined to honor her father’s commitment, Ford’s daughter, Seryna, decided to launch a GoFundMe campaign. Her goal was twofold: to raise funds for her father’s retirement and to express the gratitude he truly deserves.
The heartfelt message on the GoFundMe page detailed Ford’s journey: “He originally began working at this job as a single father when he gained custody of me and my older sister 27 years ago.
Then as our family grew and he remarried, he continued to work there because of the amazing health insurance that was provided through this employer because it was unionized. This got all four of his daughters through high school and college with full healthcare coverage.”
Ford’s commitment to the job was driven by the health insurance provided to his family, and leaving before retirement age would jeopardize that crucial benefit. The goal of the fundraiser was not to ask for money, but if anyone felt like blessing him, it would help him visit his grandchildren, Seryna explained.
The response was overwhelming, and the page was updated to share the heartwarming news: Ford was able to visit his grandchildren, thanks to the amount raised.
As of August 13, the GoFundMe campaign has raised an astonishing $414,751, surpassing the initial target of $450,000, which was later increased after the initial goal was exceeded. With this outpouring of support, Ford can now look forward to enjoying his well-deserved retirement, celebrating as many days off as he wants, thanks to the generous contributions from the public.
