An 80-year-old in Arizona has been forced to work five days a week as a Lyft driver in order to cover basic living costs for himself and his wife.
Keep reading to learn more.
A neighbor says it’s heartbreaking to watch an 80-year-old man in Arizona still working five days a week as a Lyft driver just to cover medical bills and basic living costs.
Richard Hoppin, a retired Marine, never saw himself spending his later years sitting at home.
“If you want to die, just sit at home. I thought I’d do something very constructive and help people,” he said, as per 12 News.
So that’s exactly what he did. The American, born in the 1940s, began driving for Lyft, the second-largest ridesharing platform in the country.
“They need a ride, so I give them a ride,” Hoppin, who has multiple sclerosis and Crohn’s disease, explained to NBC affiliate KYMA-DT.
Five times per week, Hoppin heads out in the only vehicle he and his wife, Catherine, own, picking up between six and eight passengers a day.
“Some rides are real long, some are real short. I’ve been to California, I’ve been to Phoenix, I’ve been to Flagstaff, and Tucson,” he continued.
Catherine, who recently underwent three rounds of radiation for lung cancer, says the couple of hundred dollars her husband earns through Lyft makes a meaningful difference.
Without it, she said, they might be homeless by now.
While her health insurance covers her $50,000 radiation sessions, she still has to pay part of the cost out of pocket, according to reports.
That extra financial pressure is exactly why Hoppin continues driving.
Concerned neighbors have since stepped in, launching a GoFundMe in support of the couple.
“It breaks my heart to see him just trying to get through the day,” the fundraiser, started by Arizona resident Michael Long, reads.
“Their health is declining, and the cost of medical care, food, and utilities is overwhelming.
“With no family left to support them, they are relying on the kindness of neighbors and the community.
“I want to help them cover their medical bills and everyday living expenses so they can focus on their health and well-being, rather than worrying about how to make ends meet.”
Long added that helping others is a “gift,” and that any support would “mean the world to Richard and Catherine.”
“[It] will help them feel less alone during this difficult time,” he wrote.
In an interview with 12 News, Long said he didn’t know the full extent of the couple’s financial situation but hoped the “goodness of people [would] come forward and donate something.”
At the time of writing, the GoFundMe has raised $34,979 of its $40,000 goal.
We are hoping for the best for Richard Hoppin and his wife. Share this with others so they can be up to date with the latest news.
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