One week ago, 68-year-old Karen Klein was sitting on a bus as middle school children teased and taunted her. When a video of the torment went viral, people were disheartened by the children's actions and impressed with Klein's response. In a show of support, strangers donated to an online fundraising effort to send the Greece Central School District bus monitor on the vacation of a lifetime. While the fundraising goal was originally $5,000, Klein has over $645,000 in her name.
On the Today Show, Klein said,"I keep thinking, 'What have I done?' It's like I almost don't feel like I deserve it."
Many are wondering how she'll use the money that was given to her, incuding Klein, herself. "What would anybody do with that much money?" she said.
The People website is reporting that she'll invest a portion of the funds and also give some to charity. Having eight grandchildren, Klein will spend some of the money on family, saying, "they need, they need, they need."
Since the incident, Klein has received support from strangers and apologies from some of the offending students, in addtion to the money. She was even offered a comped vacation to Disneyland in California.
The video touched on the hot-button issue of bullying, which is something many people struggle with, even years after the fact. Some people even resorted to sending death-threats to the students out of anger. Klein recognized the universal pain of bullying by saying, "What I am glad about is the fact that it has come out, and everyone knows what goes on. I've gotten so many notes from people who have been bullied, who've been very hurt, and my heart goes out to these people." Later, she added,"I'd like to contact every one of them and tell them how sorry I am."
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
