The Burger King chef, who never missed a day of work for nearly 30 years and received a small gift for his efforts, bought his first home with the more than $400,000 he raised from the now-viral clip, saying, it was a Christmas miracle.
Kevin Ford closed on the purchase of his new home in Pahrump, Nevada on December 13th, paying $177,000 for the 846-square-foot, 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom home. According to TMZ, he shared the news with his followers on social media.
“I wanted to show you something, something that you made possible, that you did for me, just a hardworking guy,” Ford said in a video posted to Instagram on December 29th. “Now I know it needs some work, I'm going to cut this down. Haters already, I know it's not a mansion but it's mine.”
Ford had celebrated its 27th anniversary with the fast food franchise without missing a single day of work.
However, the chain gave him a backpack containing a movie ticket, a Starbucks cup, and a mix of candy and chocolate.
A video of Ford opening his presents took the internet by storm, while his daughter crowdsourced money for the grandfather to see his grandchildren.
Nevada Burger King employee Kevin Ford shared that he bought his first home after going viral for working at the same place for 27 years without a day off. @thekeep777 / Tiktok
“We are in no way asking for money or expecting money,” Seryna Ford wrote on GoFundMe in June 2022, “but if anyone would like to bless him, he would like to visit his grandchildren.”
The family has raised over $439,000, of which they were able to keep around $350,000 after GoFundMe “took a significant portion,” Ford told TMZ.
As Ford's story spread online, NBC's “Today” asked him to fly to New York and be visited by his grandchildren on live television. This was the only day he missed his job in the last 28 years.
Kevin Ford closed on the purchase of his new home in Pahrump, Nevada on December 13, paying $177,000 for the 846-square-foot, three-bedroom, two-bathroom home. Gofundme Ford's new property features a covered front deck with a sitting area to enjoy the views of the nearby mountains and a fully fenced back yard with 2 sheds. Gofundme When he first bought the house, it wasn't furnished, but Ford says he will spend some of his money renovating it. Google st View
Ford still works at the same Burger King at McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas, which now requires an hour-long commute, but he doesn't mind because he loves driving, the employee told TMZ.
“I want to thank everyone around the world for what you have done for me, something I never thought was possible for me: home ownership,” Ford added while giving a tour of his new home gave.
Ford attributes his viral fame to the strangers who helped save his life, claiming he was “depressed” and now has a roof over his head and can see his family more often.
“Now my children and my grandchildren have a place to visit me and I just want to thank everyone for being part of this miracle and for everything you have done for me and continue to do for me every day.” he said.
“It’s truly an American dream, it’s a Christmas miracle.”
Ford went viral in 2022 after sharing what he received as a gift for his over 27 years of working at Burger King. TikTok/thekeep777 Ford attributes his viral fame to the strangers who helped save his life, claiming he was “depressed” and now has a roof over his head and can see his family more often. TikTok/thekeep777
Ford's new property features a covered front deck with a sitting area to enjoy the views of the nearby mountains and a fully fenced backyard with two sheds, according to the listing.
Ford told the outlet he plans to use the donated funds for further renovations on his new home, give his daughter some money for her home and use the rest for his retirement.