A homeless man whose life change after a woman he helped paid it forward by raising more than $400K in his name is still struggling with addiction, he says.
Last year, Johnny Bobbitt Jr. gave Kate McClure his last $20 after she was stranded on a Philadelphia highway on an empty tank. Later, McClure set up a GoFundMe account that more than 14,000 people contributed to.
Despite the whirlwind fortune and fame, Bobbitt used a “small amount” of the money to buy opioids, he told The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Bobbitt is currently living in a camper in Burlington County, New Jersey, on land that McClure’s family owns. He shared that he wasn’t able to buy his dream truck, and the vehicle he did buy isn’t running – but he doesn’t have a driver’s license anyway.
McClure and her boyfriend, Mark D’Amico, set up two trusts in Bobbitt’s name and pledged on the crowdfunding page to help him purchase a home, a 1999 Ford Ranger truck, new clothes and a cell phone.
However, Bobbitt said it was his choice to live in a camper, and McClure and D’Amico share a small house nearby. The couple rations a small amount of money to Bobbitt for his everyday needs but did not disclose any other details about the remaining donated funds.
Bobbitt has struggled with addiction for years, he said.
“I didn’t get involved in drugs overnight,” he said. “It’s going to be a struggle for the rest of my life.”
McClure and D’Amico said they are committed to helping Bobbitt, who has been going to rehab to facilitate his battle with addiction.
“He’s a great neighbor,” McClure said.
Bobbitt said he eventually wants to take his camper across the country. Please pray that he can realize this dream and overcome the grip of addiction.
(H/T: The Philadelphia Inquirer)