A TSA agent made a plea for help to get through the government shutdown and the internet responded — and then some.

Anthony Morselli, an 11-year veteran of the TSA who works at Burlington International Airport in South Burlington, created a GoFundMe page on Jan. 4. He posted the page a week before he and his wife, also a TSA agent, would miss their first paychecks. Seventy-four people responded with their wallets, as of Monday morning. Their donations totaled more than $3,300.

Morselli, his wife and about 800,000 other federal workers went unpaid Friday, Day 21 of the government shutdown.

GoFundMe contributor impersonates Burlington official?

A person who donated $5 — the minimum amount that allows you to post a comment on the fundraising page — identified themselves as Gene Richards, the same name as the aviation director of Burlington International Airport.

That commenter had harsh words for the TSA:

“Entitled government workers. Really, quit your job and get to work there are about 100000 available jobs in Vermont right now and instead you’re whining on godundme for $5 hand outs. Shame on you.”

Richards, the aviation director, when reached Monday morning said he had seen the post and was saddened to see someone attacking TSA workers and pretending to be him.

“They do an amazing job,” Richards said of TSA agents at the airport. He added that whoever made the comment on Morselli’s GoFundMe site was a “spineless human being.”

Richards said that his position at the airport bars him from making a donation to Morselli, but he would have contributed a lot more than $5 if he could.

TSA agents still going to work

As of Monday there was still no indication of when the government shutdown might end.

Federal Security Director Bruce McDonald, in charge of TSA operations at Burlington International Airport, said Monday morning that agents continue to report to work despite no getting paid on Friday.

More local news:

• What's going on at Kmart plaza in South Burlington?

• Dog adopted after recovering from Burlington car crash that killed previous owner

• Nine South Burlington neighbors say a new 150-unit housing project violates city guidelines

“I’m very proud of how how they are holding up,” said McDonald. He said while the agents were anxious about when the government shutdown would be resolved, they remained dedicated to making sure passengers at the airport are safe.

“Many of the people who come through the airport are friends, relatives, neighbors, and they feel a sense of responsibility to protect them.”

Words of support from GoFundMe contributors

The scores of people who chipped in offered more than monetary support.

“Wish I could do more. Thank you for all that you do!” Keri D’Entremont wrote.

“Thanks for continuing to work. We stand behind you” Tara Stotland wrote.

“I pray that you and your wife will be able to return to work soon! This is RIDICULOUS that y'all are not working for a stupid wall that's not needed. God bless you both!” Carl Hawkins wrote.

Morselli could not be reached for comment Monday morning.

Contact Ryan Mercer at (802)343-4169 or rmercer@gannett.com. Follow him on Facebook