A well-wisher has raised more than $200,000 to aid an elderly man after seeing the 89-year-old street vendor struggling to push his cart of frozen treats.

Joel Cervantes Macias was driving through the Little Village area in Chicago on Thursday when he saw Fidencio Sanchez having a hard time pushing his paleta cart.

Macias, a Mexican restaurant owner said the sight of Sanchez broke his heart, noting he thought the vendor should be enjoying retirement at his age.


He took a photo of Sanchez and posted it to Facebook with the caption: ‘I respect this man to the fullest! #workflow #dyingbreed #mexicano #migente.’

Macias then bought 20 paletas from Sanchez for $50 before driving away.After his photo of Sanchez captured the hearts of hundreds, he decided to start a Gofundme page, with the help of a friend, to help make life a little easier for Sanchez and his wife, Eladia.


He had retired two months ago but returned to work after their only daughter died in July. Sanchez’s wife also had become ill and was unable to sell paletas anymore to help pay bills.

Macias started the Gofundme campaign on Friday with the goal of raising just $3,000.He has now raised over $265,000 in three days.

Macias said on the Gofundme page that he plans to use Facebook Live to film him giving the money to the couple on Monday.

Sanchez said he plans to share the money with his churches back in Mexico and in Chicago and also with his grandchildren, according to Univision Chicago.

As for whether he will continue working, he said it is not likely but that it is possible because he enjoys being out in the fresh air, saying it helps him a lot..

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