Glen James, the Boston area homeless man who returned nearly $42,000 in cash and traveler's checks lost to their rightful owner after finding them in a backpack outside a mall last month, is getting a new lease on life. A trust fund is being set up to accept the more than $150,000 in donations that have been collected worldwide for him since his good deed went viral. Reached for comment Friday, James Glen's sister said the former court worker is "amazed and appreciative", according to The Boston Globe, on Oct. 5.
Glen James is getting ready to move into transitional housing in Cambridge within days, said Ethan Whittington. He's the Virginia man who created the Web donation site for him after hearing his story.
The backpack, containing $2,400 in cash and just under $40,000 in travelers checks, had been left behind by a student from China. Following the return of the money to its owner, Police Commissioner Edward F. Davis praised James for his extraordinary show of character and honesty.
Whittington took steps to ensure James would be able to handle the money. Those steps include professional guidance on how to manage the cash, as well as how to get himself back on his feet and how to pay his bills.
James will also receive the medical assistance he needs for an inner ear condition, and he'll get some job training too. James' sister will be trustee of the fund. She said she has no doubt Glen, said to be in his mid-50s, will spend the money wisely.
Whittington said the website www.gofundme.com, will stay up indefinitely, and that a link will be added to send future contributions directly to James’s bank account. He stated that the fund keeps 8 percent of every donation.
The sister said James is thrifty. He's not going out and spending the money on things like clothes and shoes.
