For over a decade, the people of Kansas City and The Johnny Dare Morning Show have helped to bring holiday cheer to those in our community who need a helping hand…families and individuals who can’t be helped by conventional charities…people who work hard to provide for their families but just can’t seem to see the light at the end of the tunnel… people who don’t want a hand out, they need a hand up.
Along with the people of Kansas City, maybe we can make your holiday season a little bit brighter.
12/22/10
Dear Johnny Dare morning show,
My situation started at the end of October. I am an over the road truck driver and received a D.O.T. citation for my truck being overweight since the tickets was in Oak Grove, MO, I gave the money to a friend to pay the fine. He took the money and used it for himself, shortly thereafter I was informed my CDL was suspended and I had to leave my truck and everything in it and take a bus to KC.
After getting back to Kansas City, I started looking for work but since I had given away my car and sold my bike before I left, this has proved most difficult. I haven’t been able to get a job and I am sleeping in my nieces car, the solution to my problem is $539 to pay the fine. I’m not asking for a charity, but if I could get a job to earn the money that would be the most incredible gift ever.
Thank you,
God Bless
Dave
How We Helped: Paid Fine To Get Dave’s CDL Back For His Job, Walking Around Cash
Who Helped: Shane, Dave, Preston
12/22/10
Dear Johnny Dare morning show,
I listen every morning and hear a Hope for the Holidays wish and am so happy to hear the help that people receive.
I’ve thought long and hard on whether to write this letter. I’m a single mom of three amazing kids, and lately our situation hasn’t been good at all. Things have started to snowball for us and I now realize that I have to swallow my pride and ask for help.
I have been working daily for years as a machine operator at a local factory, but over the last four months my company has been laying people off and have really cut back on the rest of our hours. Things have really been tight for me and my kids. With the shortened hours, I was barely making it paycheck to paycheck. Just when I thought we could make it, my company has laid me off until after the first of the year.
So now my bills have been piling up, and then the water pipes burst in my home…which I fixed myself with money that should have been used to cover bills. My gas bill is behind and I just received a call that I have until 12/23 to come up with $450 for electric…not to mention that the carburetor on my truck is blowing gas everywhere.
I don’t dare ask what is going to be next, because it’s just one thing after another. I try to stop and think that there must be others worse off than me, but I just want to cry. My children are old enough to understand what is going on and I’ve been blessed with really great kids. And no matter what, they always say, “It’s okay Mom. We’ll make due.” Not having Christmas is one thing, but now I can’t even keep the gas and electric on. If it wasn’t going to be so cold, we could go without. I just can’t seem to do anything to get ahead…I am so embarrassed and ashamed that I can’t provide for my family.
Thank you for reading my letter. And regardless of the outcome…thank you for listening.
Merry Christmas,
Sonya
How We Helped: Helped with the Electric & Gas Bill, Get Her Carburetor Fixed, Gift Cards for presents & groceries
Who Helped: Consentino’s Grocery Stores, John W/DMZ Auto Repair In Lansing, Michelle, Randy, Joe W/Overland Tow, Adrian W/Hertz, Dusty, Chris, Kim, Steve
12/21/10
Dear Johnny Dare morning show,
I started this letter about a week ago, but stopped because I thought maybe others were worse off than us. Today I swallowed my pride and finished the letter.
After losing my job at a car dealership earlier in the year, financial struggles have hit us hard and we’ve lost our home and vehicles. When I thought that things couldn’t get worse, I started to experience severe chest pains….and later learned that I have a heart condition (atrial fibrillation). This delayed my ability to start a new job, but doctors have cleared me to begin work on January 10th. In the meantime, it has really set us back. Doctors and prescriptions have wiped out what little money we have. We sat down our three children and tried to explain that there won’t be much of a Christmas this year, if at all. The kids seemed to take it alright at the time. Until this morning.
Every morning it’s the same routine at our home. We get up at the crack of dawn, so I can take the boys ( 11 & 8 ) to school, while Sarah takes our little girl ( 5 ) to school on her way to work. There’s never been a single word of complaint from the kids or Sarah through all of this. After starting the car, I came back in the house and my boys were trying to console my little girl. I asked what was wrong and the boys said, “Lily thinks Santa is skipping our house.” I knelt down to talk to her and she looked at me and asked, “Why did you have to get sick?” Trying to explain things to a 5 year old just didn’t work.
I’m just at a loss as to what to do…. We have nothing left. We’ve scrounged up enough money for gas, and hope that we can make it until her next payday on the 31st, or until I get paid from my new job. I know there are many needy people this time of year. We all need some hope. I just pray you can help us.
Thank you so much for reading this letter. Either way, I hope that you have a Merry Christmas and a Happy 2011.
Sincerely,
How We Helped: Helped with the Phone Bill; Rent, Gift Cards for presents & groceries
Who Helped: Consentino’s Grocery Stores, Heather, Tiffanny, Jeff, Justin, DJ, Ronnie And The Other Guys @ Ted’s Trash in Independence
12/20/10
Dear Johnny Dare morning show,
First off, I just want to say how amazing you all are… For many years, we too were very blessed to be able to help other people. But, the last couple of years have been very hard.
I have three beautiful children at home, but over the last couple of years my fiancé has become very ill and has been in and out of the hospital. He lost his car stereo business of 15 years in June, and slowly we began to lose everything else… our house… pretty much everything of value.
The reason that I am writing you is not for myself, but when my 7 year old daughter asked me last night if she had been “bad” and is that why there are no presents and no tree, I just started crying not knowing what to say. My kids are 17, 12, and 7, and they are the world to me. I would give everything I have, even the clothes off my back, just to give them a Christmas. But you see, I am behind on rent, gas, and some other bills. Everywhere I turn, I feel like I owe someone.
My fiancé goes in for surgery Monday. They have found a growth on his kidney and are unsure as to what it may be. Also at this time, he has the possibility of starting a new job in the next three weeks.
I’m a very strong person and will never give up. I’ve had up to three jobs at one time, and am working currently as hard as I can cleaning houses.
We would work every minute of the day if it would mean security for our children. I know that there are a lot of people out there to help, but I’m out of ideas…. I’ve tried everything I know. You guys are my last hope.
I understand if you guys can’t help, but I pray that somehow we’ll be able to make it through this…. To at least have a Christmas tree.
I feel like I’m backed into a corner. I’m just looking for some hope.
Thank you for reading my letter.
Merry Christmas,
Amee
AUDIO
How We Helped: Helped with the Gas Bill; Rent, Car Payment, Gift Cards for winter clothing, presents, & groceries
Who Helped: Consentino’s Grocery Stores, Emily, Rick, Stacey, James, Beth, Randy, Kara, Dell, John, Bill, Tara, John
12/15/10
Dear Johnny,
I hope that you will consider my family for hope for the holidays. My husband and I work so hard.
A few months ago, my husband injured his shoulder at work. He eventually had to be let go, because he couldn’t perform his job after the injury. He finally has been able to get the surgery he needed and the doctors have just released him to go back to work.
This week, he’s gone out on a new job and will now be bringing home a paycheck. I’ve had yard sales, pawned jewelry, anything to try and make ends meet. Our four kids have had to cut way back during this time. Quitting all extra activities like football, baseball, and dance. They are great kids and are all on the honor roll. I have clipped every coupon and stretched every dollar, and last month even had to take out a payday loan just to make rent.
Now that my husband’s back to work, if we could just make it back on our feet, we’ll be okay and life can start getting normal again. I know the kids miss their activities, but they haven’t complained…it breaks my heart. We haven’t even talked about Christmas this year. I’m sure they think mom will pull something together, but right now I just don’t know how.
Jana
How We Helped: Helped with the Rent & Payday Loan, New Computer, Gift Cards for presents
Who Helped: Kevin w/IT Pros, Ken, Jamie, Charles, Jack, Liz, Dave, Rachel, Susan, Josh, Jennifer, Robbie, Patrick, Heather, Mike, John, Jeff, Larry, Mark
12/14/10
Dear Johnny,
I’m writing you this letter because I need help, and I don’t know where else to turn.
I was just laid off from my job this evening. I know that I would be laid off for part of December, but it came a week earlier than I expected. And this week’s check had the money I was going to use to get my daughters a Christmas.
This will be the first year, in as long as I can remember, that I will have all three of my girls wake up under the same roof with me on Christmas morning. I am a recovering addict, and haven’t been much of a mother in the past years. But, over the last few years, I’ve gotten my life together, im five years clean, and have started to be part of their lives.
My two youngest live with their father, and I will be picking them up on Christmas Eve. My oldest, Cassandra, will also join us for the holidays.
I was really expecting to get one more check, that would have helped me to make this Christmas special and get them a little something. But now, I don’t return to work until January 3rd.
The best gift I will receive is having them all here with me, but if you could find it in your heart…please help.
Laurie
How We Helped: Helped with the Rent, Gift Cards for presents & groceries
Who Helped: Consentino’s Grocery Stores, John, Kirk, Michelle, Joey, Joel, Chris, Mike, Crystal
12/13/10
Dear Johnny,
My name is Tawnya. I’m writing on behalf of my husband, Josh, and our three children: Taya – 10 yrs, Aaron – 8 yrs, & Kynly – 7 yrs, who all deserve a Christmas we just cannot give.My husband gets up every morning between 3:00 and 4:00 am to drive from Butler, Missouri to Pleasanton, Kansas (about an hour drive daily to work). He works so hard, so that we can have a home, lights, heat, and electricity. After we pay our bills and gas for the week, there’s barely any money left for food. With all of this, getting by each week is a struggle, and now in the last month they’ve cut his hours way back. His job says that after December 15th, there may be more cut backs, but work should pick up in the New Year.
With things so hard and keeping all of the bills paid up, I just don’t know where we will find Christmas for the kids. I’m so scared. Things have never looked so bleak. I’m sorry to need help, but I just can’t fail my family. I want nothing but to see my kids smile on Christmas. They are great kids. They aren’t selfish and have even offered their piggy bank money to help pay bills. And, they’ve told us, “Don’t worry. We don’t need anything for Christmas.” But all kids deserve something.
I hate to ask, but also my husband really needs a new pair of insulated work bibs. His have huge holes and I’ve patched them as much as I can for the last two years. I know they don’t keep him warm and he works outside in the cold. I just can’t imagine.
I’ve put the Christmas tree up in the spirit of the holiday, and I guess that at least we have each other. And, it’s true, we have love. And…I love them…and that’s why I’m writing for help
Tawnya
How We Helped: Helped with the water & Electric Bill, Coveralls For Husband, Gift Cards for presents & groceries
Who Helped: Consentino’s Grocery Stores, John, Aaron, Gerald, Nelson, Jim, Ty, Jason, Dan, Clarrisa, Tiffany, Dan, Neal
12/09/10
Dear Johnny,
I have stared at this blank page trying to swallow my pride and write this letter. My husband and I have gone to everyone we know to go to for help and this is the last option that we have. We have three children, ages 6, 5, and 4. This is the hardest year we have experienced since we got married 6 years ago. Over the past year I have lost both of my grandparents and my husband lost his father in April. I was also laid off in April and I have been searching for work ever since. Unemployment has run out and my husband’s hours were cut a month and half ago. We have never been in this position before. My husband and I take pride in giving our extra money to charity every year. It is important for us to teach our children the importance of giving to others and working hard for money. This is the first year that we literally have no idea how we will provide Christmas for our children, a birthday for our 6 year old in two weeks, groceries, and rent that is due this week. We have pawned everything we can to pay our utilities and get groceries. We our down to our last left overs and we have exactly $2 to our name at this moment. I have gone to more job interviews that I can count; in fact I have another one today. And every time I am praying that this is the one that will get us back on our feet. I have applied for assistance and asked for help from others, but unfortunately it takes a while for applications to be processed and most have deadlines that we have missed. Our families are unable to assist us because of financial issues after losing family members this past year. We spent our Christmas savings last month to pay our rent. My worst fear is not only not being able to provide Christmas for my children and a birthday for my son, but now losing my home and having nowhere else to go. My husband is a tree trimmer and landscaper; he has been looking for extra work to make those few extra dollars here and there. We are both willing to do anything at this point for help. Johnny, we have exhausted all of our options. We are trying to stay strong for our children and keep smiles on our faces, but I have never been more scared of losing everything we have worked so hard for. There are a million others that are in our position and a million more worse off, which is why it is hard for us to ask for help. I just don’t know what else to do and I am praying that you can help us.
God Bless,
Rebecca
How We Helped: Helped with the Rent, 6 year olds birthday, Gift Cards for presents & groceries
Who Helped: Consentino’s Grocery Stores, Keith, Samantha, Kevin, Austin, Mark, Drew, Nick, Nicole
12/08/10
Dear Johnny,
Just after the thanksgiving holiday my 6 year old was diagnosed with type one diabetes. This was a very hard blow to my family; insurance won’t pay for some of his needles that he needs. My fiancé and I were able to get most of his supplies that he needed but it put a strain on are bank account. Since my 6 year old was diagnosed he has not been to school and I haven’t been to work. Because I am up off and on having to check his blood sugar through the middle of the night, with checking on him and the worrying about him I am just exhausted. I am a bus driver for the park hill school district, so by the time my son is back to school to where I would be able to return to work we would be on Christmas break. The rest of my family has handled this pretty good. Between my fiancé and me we have a total of four kids. They ages are 14,13,6 and his age is 6 three girls and one boy. Since I have been off work my fiancé has started working extra hours to try and make up the difference. When he comes home he does what he can to help out around the house. Johnny we have bills that are falling behind and Christmas still to get and with him being a diabetic are grocery bill has gone up, and we have co-pays, Johnny I normal don’t ask for help we work very hard for everything, but we need the help, and didn’t know who to turn to we thought of you Johnny, if you can do anything to help that would be great.
Thank you Christina
How We Helped: Helped with the Light & Electric Bill, Help Buying Needles, Gift Cards for presents & groceries
Who Helped: Consentino’s Grocery Stores, Craig, Jeff, Jason, Donna, Mary, Matt, Jim, Randy, Donnie, Brett
12/06/10
Dear Johnny Dare,
I am writing you this letter because my family and I need closure. This is really a hard thing to ask for Christmas help with but here goes…. On Christmas morning 2006 I went into premature labor at 26 weeks with my twin boys. They did an emergency C-section on me and my precious boy Jaiden was found to be “Born sleeping”, I use this term because “stillborn” sounds so cold to me. His little heart had stopped beating. A minute or two later my other son Landon was born he weighed barely over a pound as did his brother. He was not crying or breathing. Landon was given help to breath and they put him in the NICU. He fought hard for his little life for a few days but was just not strong enough and sadly he lost his battle for life on the 29th. We had to bury our babies on New Year’s Eve. Thanks to some wonderful family members donating a plot and buying their coffin we were able to do so. We have never been able to get them a headstone for their grave. It is horrible to go there and see that their grave is not even marked as though they have already been forgotten! Christmas will never be merry for us nothing is going to change that but it would at least give us some comfort if we could go there and see that they will be remembered. Our other children ask us often when we are going to get their brothers a headstone and it is so hard to tell them that we just can’t afford it. They don’t understand why their brothers are not at the top of our priority right now. That sounds terrible but it is true. We are struggling so hard. My greatest fear is that we will never get it together enough to afford to get them one. Just once it would be a relief to be able to take a deep breath and maybe crack a smile at Christmastime again. I would love for our family (Especially my kids) to have one good Christmas with some smiles instead of tears. I know this is a strange and probably difficult request but I also know if anyone would be willing to help and could make it happen it would be you. Thanks for reading our letter and for helping so many people,
Brandy and Robert
How We Helped: Helped with a Headstone, & Gift Cards for presents
Who Helped: Rick w/Speak’s Funeral Home in Independence, Nathan, John, Annette, Michael, Jennifer, Chance, Angie
12/03/10
Dear Johnny Dare,
I have three kids, one boy (age 14) and two girls (ages 14 and 15). My husband has been battling stage three colon cancer with all kinds of side effects from the chemo treatments and medicines since January of this year. Severe neuropathy has set in, in his hands, arms, legs and feet. His doctors have said that the nerve damage that has been done from the chemo treatments will take two years, if not longer before he will start regaining feeling in his body so he is unable to work. My husband has been trying to get disability and we are in the process. To support my family, I’m working full time, helping with my husband and trying to go to college full time to get my Associates Degree to better myself with the company that I work for in hopes to attain a better position and pay to support my family. I’ve applied for assistance but am told that I make too much money. I can’t understand how I make too much money when I’m only bringing home around $625 every two weeks and this is suppose to support a family of five? I’m currently behind on our light bill, having no money for gas or groceries and my car has no heat. All I want is for my kids and my husband to have a nice Christmas because they’ve struggled with me these past 11 months and they deserve it. Any assistance is absolutely appreciated and grateful. Thanks for your time.
Kim
How We Helped: Helped with the Electric Bill, Heat For Car, & Gift Cards for presents & groceries
Who Helped: Consentino’s Grocery Stores, Scott, Rev. Jimbo, Angel, Jeff,
Steve W/Earth Fantastic, Rachel & Aaron w/ Bob Sight Ford In Lee Summit
12/02/10
Dear Johnny Dare,
I hope u can help, I have nowhere else to turn as I’m lost. My family has been thru a lot over the last several yrs, my husband almost died from cancer and is partially paralyzed from the waist down. I took on a job to discover I had to cut my hours as I have severe RA. We have 4 children ages 6 7 8 11 at home all are adopted, we are mom and dad, we’ve always been able to fend for ourselves until now. Thanksgiving day the transmission dropped from our van, now Christmas is a month away and I sit here crying as I’m losing-well it’s pretty much lost- ALL hope, u see there isn’t going to be a Christmas, maybe not even a job once my ride resources run out and definitely no vehicle, the cost is too high. The vehicle is going to need a transmission and we just don’t have the money… but my heart is breaking trying to figure out how i can tell my 4 boys that there wont be a christmas…they have been thru alot of things they dont even know about, they have been working to succeed in school, struggled to keep focused for the one big day when santa comes…now i feel like i have failed my family thru bad luck and there wont be a christams.im usually very prideful and would never ask for help, but for my children whom i love very much i will admit defeat and ask if there is anyway u can help our family with either of my two main issues i would forever be in your debt even if u could find a mechanic that would take paymts or a stocking for the boys..anything they wouldn’t complain if that’s all they got they really are amazing kids. God bless you for all u have done for all the families you touch.
Thank you
AUDIO
How We Helped: Transmission For Van, & Gift Cards for presents & groceries
Who Helped: Consentino’s Grocery Stores, James @ Clark’s Customs In Belton Missouri,
John From ASAP Tow, Chris, Kara & Josh, Elijah, Terry w/Able Insulation, Brian
11.30.10
Dear Johnny Dare morning show,
My name is Cynthia and I am writing this letter to you because my husband and I need a hand up this holiday for our kids. We thought we had everything handled this year for the holidays but then I broke my leg. I know that doesn’t sound like a bad thing but I am a server and I depend on my legs. I lost my job since I had to be off work 8 weeks. My husband is now working 3 jobs just to try to keep up on the bills and keep food in the house. We tried to apply for help through the state and they said that he made to much money to help us. We have 3 kids and they are really good kids!!! They told us that they understand if we cannot afford Christmas this year. I just want a good Christmas for our kids. We are 200.00 behind our electric bill, we are 2 months behind on the car payment and I am afraid they are going to come take the car from us and we are behind on our rent. We just need help getting caught up this year. Thank you so much for taking the time to read this letter. Merry Christmas.
Cynthia
How We Helped: Helped with the Electric Bill, Rent, Car Payment & Insurance, Gift Cards for presents & groceries
Who Helped: Consentino’s Grocery Stores, Dustin, Kelly, Jonathon, Sara, Paul, Josh, Shelly, Brian, Ryan, Nathan, Tiffany, Brian, Mike, Heather, Raquel, Heidi, Amber, Kelly, Nicki & her 9 year old son Jackson
11.29.10
Dear Johnny Dare morning show,
I am a single mother of 2 kids one boy and one girl. I lost my job back in August. I start a new job on Dec 6th but at a much lower wage than before. Thanks to my Mom I have managed to barely keep my utilities on. My landlord has been very patient with me but I am currently behind on rent. I don’t know where else to turn. I am barely keeping my head above water and my kids have been so very patient with all of this. Just last week I had to give my sons dog away because I could no longer afford to take care of him. My son was devastated but very understanding. I keep telling them that things will get better, and they are so supportive and understanding. I would love to be able to put something under the tree for them. I was not able to even buy my kids new school clothes for this year. The past year has gone from bad to worse. Any help putting a little something under the tree would be a blessing. Thank you for any help.. Brandee.
PS Love you love your show…
How We Helped: Helped with the Electric, Gas, & Water Bill; Rent, Gift Cards for winter clothing, presents, & groceries
Who Helped: Consentino’s Grocery Stores, Emily, Troy, Michael, Shane, Dave, Steve, Lisa, Shawn, Janet, Jo, Brock, Mark, Debbie(Stripper From The Flamingo), Steve(Earth Fantastic Smoke Shop), Ty
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