Karen Klein didn't ask for donations when she was bullied on-board a school bus, but once people saw the heartbreaking video, they gave freely.
Over $700,000 in donations was raised in a matter of days and weeks after the bullying incident.
Some wondered if Karen Klein would ever see that money. She sometimes wondered that herself.
Then a few weeks ago, it was deposited in her checking account. It seemed like a lot of money, especially for a woman who lived pretty much on a fixed income.
But Klein is a generous person. Sometimes she admits, she is too generous with her children and others. But with her windfall, she is paying off bills, like her home equity loan and car loan and helping her children.
She bought her son a used car, so he wouldn't have to take the bus to work. She also may buy her daughters cars. Both need them.
She helped a friend in Florida who was in need. She also has shared her donations with her grandchildren.
As promised, she also set aside $100,000 to start an anti-bullying fund. She and her daughter will travel the country to spread their message, beginning with an engagement in North Carolina in October.
Klein admitted to us recently that she doesn't have much left.
She also says the man who started that fundraising effort, Max Sidorov has now also asked to borrow $50,000. Karen tells us, "Max wants to borrow the money and I wouldn't have it if it wasn't for him. I almost feel an obligation to give it to him."
We tried to reach out to Max by email and phone. He did not respond to our emails and the phone number we have is now disconnected.
Klein says Max wants to write a book and she would like to help him. In fact, she would love to write a book of her own. Maybe a children's book about how hurful bullying can be.
She was criticized by some when the donations were pouring in. But it's clear, she has shared her good fortune with those around her and at the same time, helped spread a message about how much it hurts to get bullied.
Patrice Walsh, Reporter
