West Bloomfield jobless man begs to save home and care for dad
O and E Media
Joanne Maliszewski
October 3, 2014
Bob Hollerud of West Bloomfield has been unemployed since last year and has been unable to find a job to avoid eviction and to care for his elderly father, who has Alzheimer’s disease.
(Photo: John Stormzand | Staff Photographer )
When Bob Hollerud of West Bloomfield would see men and women holding signs and asking for financial help or food while perched on the side of a road, he had one thought: They didn’t have a plan.
“Well, I had a plan,” said the U.S. Navy Vietnam veteran, who stood along 14 Mile Road, west of Orchard Lake, Thursday afternoon.
The sign Hollerud held to his chest as traffic backed up on 14 Mile read:
“US Navy veteran. Need a little help. If you can. God bless all. Help me stay in our home.”
Hollerud admits his plan didn’t account for what life unexpectedly threw at him. First of all, he was laid off from his job with an Ann Arbor company last year. Unemployments benefits gave him a bit of a reprieve for 20 weeks. For about one year, he has been working with Veterans Affairs to get benefits for his father, who has Alzheimer’s. Hollerud cares for his father, a World War II veteran, in his home at Haggerty and Maple.
“The money has run out,” he said.
But Hollerud, who dresses in a suit and tie while he asks for help, believes he is not so different than others. “Many are just a paycheck away from disaster.”
He insists he looks daily for new work. But nothing so far. In fact, his former colleagues let him know that when he was laid off on a Friday, a younger person took his place on Monday for a much lower wage.
“It is absolutely my age,” said Hollerud, who is 62.
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Friday, October 3, 2014
Vietnam Veteran Wears Suit and Tie Panhandling for WWII Dad
If this doesn't change your mind about veterans asking for money, nothing will! He is a Vietnam veteran, asking for donations while wearing a suit and tie. He isn't looking for help for himself, but for his Dad!
I know Bob, he is my best friend and I just heard of this, I don't know how to get in touch with him now as his phones have been turned off. He has always given the shirt off of his back to help others and make them feel important and needed. If anyone can help him please do. Bob is as good of a person as you ever want to meet and will keep you laughing non stop. This is such a tragedy, he never called or let me know of his situation, breaks my heart to know it has come to this. Dale
ReplyDelete248 8829999
DeleteDiane Sahakian. 248-763-4295
ReplyDeleteDON'T GIVE HIM ANYTHING. WE WATCH HIM AT WORK POCKET MONEY FOR MANY MANY HOURS - MONEY HE PAYS NO TAXES ON. IF HE CANNOT AFFORD TO LIVE WHERE HE LIVES, THERE ARE LESS EXPENSIVE AND NICE AREAS. IF HE CAN STAND ON CORNERS 8 HOURS A DAY, HE CAN GET A JOB. HE HAS BEEN OFFERED JOBS SO WHY IS HE STILL BEGGING? GO TO KMART. GO TO WALMART. GO TO A GAS STATION. SAM'S CLUB. DO SOMETHING! NOW YOUR JOB IS TAKING MONEY AND NOT PAYING TAXES. SHAME ON YOU! LOTS OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING HARD TIMES AND LOTS OF PEOPLE CARE FOR THEIR PARENTS WHILE WORKING. THERE ARE JOBS FOR YOU. LEAVE THE CORNER YOU'RE ON. WE DON'T WANT TO SEE YOU TAKING FROM PEOPLE!
WE ARE SICK AND TIRED OF YOU. GET A JOB!
May you never face reality cause you wouldn’t survive. Man put life on line for you to have the freedom to insult him. Remove the we from your childish post because you sure wouldn’t survive. This man is actually someone I’ll never forget, nor will I regret talking to him for 20 minutes-giving him water on the hot day, the food and cash he refused but I left it anyway. He’s a true hero, he has to show me things so I’d know he was real-I made him put it away and TALKED to him. He’s a humble caring man. Him and I were both in tears. It was 2018 when I saw him and something made me turn around and get him food water etc. and trust me - being disabled myself I’m in no way rich with spare money - lucky to make it month to month. But I have family, roof, food, and a heart who feels for the person-not that they are holding a sign/not the car-house-job etc. but the actual soul aka the person not the judgement made in someone’s head. His last words to me as I walked away in tears as was he…he screamed I’ll never forget you, well Bob it’s been almost 5 years now-I w never forgotten you nor will I. I think of you often with hope and prayer that you are safe Yoi are one in a million!
DeleteHmm, posted under Anonymous and in all caps as if it was supposed to be an important message? Great on judgement and anger but not much on anything else.
ReplyDeleteReally BOB!
ReplyDeleteIt's 2021 and Bob is still out there. He is clearly having a hard time if he needs to panhandle, no one would choose that. I gave him $10.
ReplyDeleteBob is for real, and a humble, appreciative human being. I have no qualms about helping him out when I can, and encourage others to do so.
ReplyDeleteThis man REFUSED the money I offered. We drove by, saw him, went to lunch and I couldn’t eat knowing he - a VETERAN- was being left by the VA to face this situation. Bought some extra food, drove back to gas station he was at (though sure we too are not wealthy, and were going to be late for an appointment by going back. Something made me go. Went in gas station as I noticed an officer parked just watching him, bought water, took it all and cash over to him, (waiting for officer to harass me over yet something still made me go). I handed him the extra food I bought for him, the water-at this point he was already tearing up and showing me things -id’s etc-to prove he wasn’t lying. I too was in tears-thinking how could this country make it this hard for vets? It’s wrong and heartbreaking. He kept apologizing to me and when I went to hand him the cash he said no you’ve done so much. Just stopping and treating me like a human instead of a terrible lazy person, giving me a hug and listening, bringing water on this hot day and even lunch. But the most important was you listening to me, supporting and understanding the situation and that I don’t want to be here but my dad needs me. You take the food and money - I’ll just take the water and thank you for caring about some stranger on the side of the road without judgement. I’ll never ever forget you or this young lady, you have a special heart and I’m humbled and happy someone out here still cares, is able to see past the sign and see me, that’s worth gold. Thank you for even stopping. ……..kept trying to give back the food, finally I took the bag and slipped the money in and placed it near his feet. My words were simple “you and your dad were willing to give your lives for this country’s freedom and in turn they rewarded you by turning their back. I’m ashamed for them. You deserve so much better than even this little I can afford to give. It’s not a charity or pity gift, it’s a sorry the country let you arrive to this point but I applaud you, thank you abd your dad for serving gift. I had set it down, gave him a second water….he looked at me with tears and again thanked me again for seeing him as a person” gave me the biggest heartbreaking hug -heartbreaking as I knew I was leaving him, going to an appointment and driving to my home. Heartbreaking and so very amazing of an interaction I’ve ever had with a stranger. I’ll never forget you—he screamed as I walked to my car. Well, I’ve not forgotten him and it’s been almost 5 years now-he’s been on my heart/mind many times. Those with the rotten comments—-sure some are lazy and some are addicts, and sadly some are there for you to have the freedom to insult him. I hope he’s okay today with COVID and all and I’ll never forget you either Bob. Ever. (I stopped many years ago 2018/19. And always wonder how you are. You’re forever in my heart. Be well and I hope this country has finally helped you my friend!
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