An 80‑year‑old Arizona man has been forced to work five days a week as a Lyft driver just to cover basic living expenses for himself and his wife.
Keep reading to learn more.
A neighbor says it’s heartbreaking to see an 80‑year‑old still driving for Lyft nearly every day simply to pay medical bills and keep up with essential costs.
Richard Hoppin, a retired Marine, never imagined spending his later years sitting idle.
“If you want to die, just sit at home. I thought I’d do something constructive and help people,” he told 12 News.
So he did exactly that. Born in the 1940s, Hoppin began driving for Lyft, the second‑largest rideshare service in the country.
“They need a ride, so I give them a ride,” said Hoppin, who lives with multiple sclerosis and Crohn’s disease, in an interview with NBC affiliate KYMA‑DT.
Five days a week, he heads out in the only car he and his wife, Catherine, own, picking up six to eight passengers a day.
“Some rides are really long, some are really short. I’ve been to California, Phoenix, Flagstaff, and Tucson,” he said.
Catherine, who recently completed three rounds of radiation for lung cancer, says the couple of hundred dollars her husband earns through Lyft makes a real difference.
Without that income, she believes they might be homeless.
Although her insurance covers her $50,000 radiation treatments, she still has to pay a portion out of pocket — a burden that adds to their financial strain.
That pressure is exactly why Hoppin keeps driving.
Concerned neighbors have stepped in, launching a GoFundMe to support the couple.
“It breaks my heart to see him just trying to get through the day,” wrote Arizona resident Michael Long, who started the fundraiser.
“Their health is declining, and the cost of medical care, food, and utilities is overwhelming.
“With no family left to support them, they are relying on the kindness of neighbors and the community.
“I want to help them cover their medical bills and everyday living expenses so they can focus on their health and well‑being, rather than worrying about how to make ends meet.”
Long added that helping others is a “gift,” and that any support would “mean the world to Richard and Catherine.”
“[It] will help them feel less alone during this difficult time,” he wrote.
Speaking to 12 News, Long said he didn’t know the full extent of the couple’s financial struggles but hoped “the goodness of people” would inspire donations.
As of now, the GoFundMe has raised $34,979 of its $40,000 goal.
We’re hoping for the best for Richard Hoppin and his wife. Share this story so others can stay informed.
