A YouTube video showing a group of New York middle schoolers taunt an elderly bus monitor was nearing 4,000,000 views three days after it was posted on June 19.
The kids in the video use harsh language, at one point even telling the 68-year-old widow, "You don't have a family because they all killed themselves because they don't want to be near you."
As the YouTube hits have shot up so too have donations in support of Karen Klein, who, throughout the whole ordeal, did not show any emotion apart from holding back a few tears.
As of Friday morning, 22,000 funders had donated $472,000 to an online account with the description, "Lets give her something she will never forget, a vacation of a lifetime!"
Some of the comments left on the fundraising website:
- Norm: My contribution is my vote against bullying. A fine example of grace under pressure by Karen.
- Benjamin: Heart goes out to you. I wish I was on that bus, I’d have put them kids in their place.
- Lindsay: Kids can be cruel. Your story moved us in Kitchener, ON, Canada
Comments from your neighbors:
"That was gross! But it was beautiful how over 200K was raised for her!" — Patti Gelfand Hollander
"I'm appalled by the lack of respect these children have." — Steve Heinisch
"Appalled at the disrespect the kids showed to her. Partially hold parents responsible for not educating their children on morals and manners. It is very sad." - Rachael Perlis Klotzberger
"This is what Godless America looks like. Most families don't attend church together anymore. That's what use to hold us together. Values of serving others, and "...do unto others as you would have them do unto you..." etc. Lessons that instill faith and love, because God sees, and there is eternal value to the thing we do in this life. Where else are kids today going to get it? From parents who don't have faith values of love and selflessness? Or maybe they can get it in schools where God can't be mentioned. Now schools offer anti-bullying programs lead by groups like GLSEN and people like Dan Savage. Children bloom where values are taught. Children need to practice conflict resolution, so they learn that disagreement doesn't mean hate, so that when they grow up they will be good at it. And then they will be good parents for their children." — Kathleen Loomer
Have you seen the footage or heard of Karen's story? What was your initial reaction?
