World · India Bureau
Tennessee woman raises $146,000 for elderly cinema worker via viral appeal
A 21-year-old from Tennessee has raised over $146,000 in less than 24 hours for an 80-year-old cinema usher after a social media appeal went viral. Brooklyn Green initially sought to collect just $500 through crowdfunding platforms to support Mary, who has dedicated over four decades to working in theatres.
LSN India ·
Brooklyn Green noticed Mary cleaning up debris at an AMC cinema in Tennessee and was moved to launch a fundraising campaign on TikTok and GoFundMe. What began as a modest goal of $500 quickly gained traction online, ultimately raising more than $146,000 within a single day as the appeal resonated with social media users across the platform.
Mary's decades-long career in the cinema industry spanning over 45 years demonstrates her long-standing commitment to the profession. The unexpected outpouring of support from strangers highlighted widespread recognition of the challenges faced by service workers in the entertainment sector.
Following the fundraiser's remarkable success, Mary publicly thanked the donors who contributed to the campaign. She subsequently requested that the fundraising effort be paused, indicating she was satisfied with the amount raised and the generous response from the public. The case underscores how social media can rapidly mobilize community support for individuals in need, turning a chance observation into meaningful financial assistance.