56-year-old man remarkably walks 21-miles every day to get to work and back, has never missed a day

Imagine walking 21 miles to work and back every day, no matter what the weather was. For most people getting out of bed to go to work is a hard enough task.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - For 56-year-old James Robertson of Detroit, this massive trek to work is his everyday routine. He walks a round trip of 21 miles a day to get to work, and remarkably he hasn't missed a single day.

"I set our attendance standard by this man," stated Robertson's boss Todd Wilson to the Detroit Free Press. "I say, if this man can get here, walking all those miles through snow and rain, well, I'll tell you, I have people in a Pontiac 10 minutes away and they say they can't get here - bull! He's never missed. I've seen him come in here wringing wet."

Light a prayer candle for Robertson's journey

Robertson's 1988 Honda Accord quit running more than 10 years ago, and ever since then he has been walking to his plant manager job at high-end plastic molding specialists, Schain Mold & Engineering.

According to Robertson, his $10.55 an hour income is not enough for him to buy his own car, and unfortunately, none of his co-workers live near him, so catching a ride is near impossible.

"The last five years have been really tough because the buses cut back," explained Robertson to the Detroit Free Press. Robertson can take a bus, but only part of the way and the schedule is so infrequent, it's hard to know when to be at the bus stop.

His journey back home when he gets off at 10 p.m. is the worst part; Robertson has to travel back alone in the dark cold through some of Detroit's worst neighborhoods, including the infamous 8 Mile area.

"I keep a rhythm in my head," said Robertson. "I'm not saying I'm a member of some church. But just before I get home, every night, I say, 'Lord, keep me safe.'"

Blake Pollock, a Rochester banker, gives Robertson a ride whenever he sees him walking. "Knowing what I know, I can't drive past him now. I'm in my car with the heat blasting and even then my feet are cold."

Although this has been the "normal" life for Robertson for quite some time, all of it will soon change as a numerous amount of generous donors have raised over $170,000 for Robertson on his Go Fund Me campaign.

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A complete stranger with no relation to Robertson or his journey, WSU Student, Evan Leedy created Robertson's Go Fund Me account and the money began to pour in. People are helping in any way they can, whether it be $5 or $50; car dealerships have even offered him brand new vehicles.

"We're just impressed with his determination," expressed Angela Osborne, customer service specialist at Rodgers Chevrolet in Woodhaven.

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