ABOVE: Fairmont native Josh Liljenquist is using the social media platform, TikTok, to help others. Submitted photo.

FAIRMONT — Hometown hero and Fairmont high school graduate Josh Liljenquist has made it his mission to help those in need in the state of 10,000 lakes. Liljenquist began this journey with his TikTok account where he documented his service to the homeless population of the Twin Cities.

Since then, he has gone viral amassing over five million followers on the social media platform at just the age of 26. Despite the national attention, he has vowed not to expand too quickly and his main focus is still the homeless people he has built a bond with.

“There’s been a lot of interest across the country, but I want to take care of Minnesota first,” Liljenquist said. He is now a resident of Chaska.

“I don’t really see myself working with other “influencers”, but I do have some things in motion with a few A-list celebrities who are impressed with my work– one such name being Alex Rodriguez.”

Liljenquist has done a lot of good despite starting this on his own with the help of some partner companies.

When asked why he got started with the project, his answer was simple.

“I used to work in other fields and do other things, but now I just chase my passion, this is less of a money-driven project and more about my passion for helping people,” Liljenquist said.

His father, Trent, and grandfather, Tom Wescott, were both veterans and Josh is now looking to find a way to continue some of the work they did to help fellow veterans.

The treatment of veterans in the U.S. has been the source of plenty of ire for many citizens. Josh is hoping to get something set up to ease the issues they face reassimilating into modern society.

“I actually just had a meeting with someone who helps low income veterans,” Liljenquist said. “I’m currently looking for a company to partner with in order to continue that side of my passion and help veterans.”

With this new found platform, Josh hopes to expand his philanthropic efforts even farther than the homeless and veterans, his goal seems to be to help anyone in need.

He discussed a project he is currently working on to help a terminally ill child see some of their dreams come true.

“Really soon there’s an 8-year-old kid, the doctor’s have given them three to four months to live, and their Make-A-Wish was a trip to Disneyland,” Liljenquist said. “Unfortunately they will be going through a lot of their treatments at the time the trip was set to take place, so they won’t be able to go, but I am working on getting their favorite celebrity to come and pay them a visit soon.”

While some have an issue with Josh recording his good deeds, in a world where negativity is spread like wildfire, he is providing a spark of hope in the lives of many.