Day after day, Lisa Fandrich would grow more curious about the elderly man carrying a sign that read “Copper Coins For Sale” who she would see during her Phoenix commute.
“I saw this man this elderly man crossing over the overpass on the 51 in the middle of summer at 8:30 at night pushing wheelchair and a walker,” she told 12 News. “I would burst out in tears because I felt, why would someone his age have to be out here in the Phoenix heat working? It’s not fair.”
Fandrich always wondered what led him to have to hustle in the street like that. Finally, her curiosity grew too great.
“I didn’t see any water so I stopped and got a couple bottles of water and said it’s time for me to hear his story because there’s a reason why he’s here,” Fandrich said.
She approached the man, named Paul, where he would often sit under the lights of the Church’s Chicken sign at 32nd Street and Cactus Road.
“He told me that he moved here with his wife 36 years ago and they’ve been married for 54 years and he does this to make extra money,” Fandrich explained.
He handed him two bottles of water and $10 and told him that she was worried about him. He said she didn’t have to.
“God watches out for me,” he told her.
Apparently, Fandrich and God weren’t the only ones looking out for Paul. Tyler Karl, who works at the Church’s Chicken, has been friends with Paul for a few years. Karl says he keeps an eye on Paul to make sure he’s safe out there.
“He stays here until the Church’s Chicken sign goes off most night’s just about, rain or shine,” he told 12 News. “He is one of the nicest, most genuine people you’ll ever meet, one of the most trusting people as well.”
After Fandrich’s first encounter with Paul, she bought the two coins which Paul said was his favorite and took a picture with him. She went home and posted that photo of Paul online and also set up a GoFundMe page for him.
The story and fundraiser didn’t get much attention until a San Francisco news anchor shared her post about Paul on social media.
Funds started to quickly pour in and now more than $31,000 has been raised for Paul, exceeding the $30,000 goal. You can learn more about Paul’s story by watching the video below.
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