He Gave $100 to Strangers to Call Their Dad. The Money Was All His Late Father Had to His Name: ‘Give It Away With Meaning’

Anton Wisbiski (@antonwisbiski) has been handing $100 to strangers, asking them to call their dad. The content creator recently revealed where his handouts came from and why he started the video series.

“For the last four weeks, I’ve been paying people $100 to call their dad, and over 100,000 people have followed me because of it,” Wisbiski explained. He said some of the videos have been viewed over 40 million times. On TikTok alone, some videos have been viewed by over a million people. These clips show Wisbiski asking strangers to call their dad to reconnect or to let them know they’re loved and appreciated.

One woman’s story didn’t go as smoothly, as she initially turned down Wisbiski’s offer. Despite their strained relationship, she eventually agreed to call him and wished him a good day. But others have it easier, with one man calling his father and telling him he loves him without much prompting. People have unique relationships with their father figures, but Wisbiski wanted to connect these children with their dad, even if for a brief phone call.

“There’s one part of the story that almost nobody knows,” Wisbiski continued. He revealed, “The money I’ve been giving away hasn’t been mine. It’s actually been my dad’s. And, most of you know, my dad took his life.” The content creator has previously shared how he lost his father to strangers but didn’t reveal where the money came from. Wisbiski said that when he arrived at his late dad’s condo, there was an eviction notice taped to the door. His dad struggled with his finances and failed to pay his property taxes for over three years.

Tough love didn’t save his dad

“My dad has asked me for money, and reluctantly, I always gave it to him,” Wisbiski explained. He used the term “reluctantly” because he didn’t want to enable his dad. Wisbiski thinks his dad retired too early at 49 and believes it’s why he struggled with his finances.

“He didn’t have a purpose, and there was nothing more that I wanted for him than to have something to look forward to every day—a reason to live, a way to contribute,” he continued. Wisbiski also attached a note from his father, saying his life’s purpose “has come and gone.” Beyond finances, the man has also battled with his ailing mental health. But because Wisbiski was hesitant to enable his dad, he said he always gave him less than what he asked for. He hoped his dad would be motivated to earn again and get back on his feet.

@antonwisbiski

Where the money came from in my call your dad videos There’s been a handful of criticism as to why I pay people to call their dad…Now you know. The money was never mine to begin with, it was my dad’s. It felt incredible special and boarderline sacred to give strangers my dad’s physical cash to reconnect them or connect them to their dad. So hopefully now the money can be seen as a gift and nothing more. The full $1221 has been spent. And it’s been the most impactful way to “spend” money I’ve ever experienced. And it has launched my life in a whole new direction… one of which feels like an incredible blessing. I have so many epic new videos coming out in the coming months and I am 100% going to continue the series ? Thanks again for all the support, and if you can, call your dad ❤️

♬ original sound – Anton | Coach

But when Wisbiski arrived at his dad’s house after his death, he found notes and videos left behind for his children. Wisbiski also found out that his dad planned to end his life after his money ran out—it was a plan that his dad saw through.

“But while cleaning his condo, I found something I never expected to find—twelve $100 bills,” Wisbiski said. He assumed that his father had forgotten about it. Wisbiski also found $21 in his dad’s wallet. In total, the older man left $1,221, presumably forgotten.

Making meaning out of loss

“But he left me with something more than money. He left me with an idea,” Wisbiski said. After pondering his dad’s death, he realized that his dad wasn’t connected on a deep level with his family. He also needed money in his last days. Wisbiski concluded, “What if I took the two things my dad desperately needed—money and connection? And that’s where this all started.”

Instead of keeping the money to himself like an inheritance found through a scavenger hunt, Wisbiski decided to give random strangers $100 to encourage them to connect with their dads. Although he isn’t sure if his dad wouldn’t have resorted to ending his life even if he had more money, Wisbiski believes that things would have been different if the man had been closer to his family.

“Give it away with meaning, with purpose,” Wisbiski said. Because, aside from money, he wanted to bridge the gap between dads and their kids. After all, even those who are closest to their dads aren’t always guaranteed more time.

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