Last Updated on December 30, 2020
John Hobson is a 93-year-old man on the move. More of a facilitator, that is.
A retired Air Force colonel, Hobson has turned his hobby into a passion, and in turn, found a way to help those less fortunate.
Since this summer, he has made about 100 walking sticks in his hometown of Xenia, Ohio. He sells them for $3 each (or a little more if the buyer is generous).
In turn, he pays it forward and donates the money to the Xenia Area Fish Food Pantry. So far, he has raised more than $600.
“It makes me feel good,” he told WKEF-TV.
Hobson takes great care in making his walking sticks. Each takes about a day’s work. It is well worth it.
“If he just got put somewhere and told him to sit down, he’d go crazy,” his son, Mark Hobson, told the station.
Understandably, the Christmas crush created a supply-and-demand issue for Hobson. After he was sold out of sticks, his granddaughter set up a GoFundMe page to help the pantry.The goal was to raise $500. As of Dec. 29th, they had raised $9,600 on the GoFundMe page.
“My family would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who donated and shared John’s story,” Jenny Denen, his granddaughter, wrote on the page.
“We have been so touched by your kindness and generosity. Between this fundraiser, sales of Grandpa’s walking sticks, and additional donations made to the pantry in his name, we have together raised nearly $16,000 for the Xenia Area Fish Food Pantry! We have been told by the pantry that a $1 donation generates five pounds of food.
That means that we have helped the pantry be able to distribute about 40 tons of food to the Xenia community! What a massive blessing to those in need during this very difficult time. Thank you for doing a very kind thing to make Grandpa happy and to make a difference for so many in our community.
“Happy Holidays!”
