Glenn Shepard’s Personal Blog

From Mt.Pleasant, South Carolina:

I would like to nominate my mother. She has helped
people her entire life. Growing up my father was chronically ill and constantly
out-of-work. My mother put herself through school and worked full-time while
raising her family. She was part of the first child ”Protective
Services” unit for the Department of Social Services in my hometown.
She was always giving part of what we had (clothing, food, etc.) to some other
family. She went from there to the Department of Juvenile Justice and spent 32
years working with juvenile delinquents for the State of SC. She
”retired” in 2005 but continues to do for others. She is an
adoptee who has searched for her birthfamily for 40 years. Although she has
never been able to find her own family, she has searched (no charge) for others
and reunited many families. She has run adoptee/birthparent support groups. She
has listened and counseled many hours on the phone. Just this past Christmas,
she reunited a high s chool classmate of hers with his brother and sister!
This man is 72 years old
and just finding out he has siblings for the first time!
The last couple of years have been rough financially. She does not own a car at
the moment. Right now she depends on me to take her everywhere she goes. I know
she would like to go more places than she asks. I would love to see my mother,
who has given so much of herself to others, have something really nice done for
her! Thanks so much for this opportunity!

From Yuba City, California

Of course there are so many people who serve everday that deserve
the car. I just want to say thanks to all and I wish that they could all have
one. My sons is the person that i am submitting he served two tours in IRAQ and
he is disabled because of that service. HE is an all American and the thing that
he takes most serious is being a dad. I am always looking to find out why he has
turned out so good becasue his dad or I neither one will be getting the parent
of the year award. THe reason i would like to see him have a car is he is the
only Marine that i know bought his x wife a car so his child could drive in a
air conditioned safe car while he drives a old toyota pick up.
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From Tucson, Arizona

My sister works hard to provide for her two
children. She is a single mother and just had to have surgery on her foot. She
is struggling to pay for her foot rehab and medical bills, trying to keep
clothes on the backs of her boys, a roof over their heads, and facing work
furloughs (days off with no pay, even possible layoff, at her job due to
economic issues. No car payment and a reliable vehicle would help her
immensely.

From Tennessee:

My step-mother is a widow. She is just
recovering from cancer and is a real fighter. Through her illness, she
didn”t miss a beat. She insisted on continuing to do her own yard
work. She has a little Toyota and has had it for quite some time. She is a
retired nurse and on a fixed income. Shortly after my father died she wanted to
borrow money against the house (which is paid for) to get a new Volvo but I
would not agree to it. However, we did help her find the little Toyota that she
could afford within her budget. That was some time ago. She picks up
people for church and as a retired nurse she does volunteer work with the Red
Cross and the Seventh Day Adventist Church and she visits the sick and shut in
religiously. She has been an encouragement to others battling cancer as well.
When our oldest daughter was studying to take the MCAT for medical school, it
was my step-mother who made sure she got to KAPLAN each day while we picked
Lindsay up in the evenings. That child received her J.D. last year and will be
graduating from the Mayo Clinic School of Medicine May, 2010 if all continues to
go well. I just can”t think of anyone better who would put the car to
such good use. It would not be a selfish use of the car but not only will it be
a blessing to my step mother but also a blessing to her church family and her
community.

From Alabama:

(Name) is a young lady that works for me in the office of
the Distribution Center I manage. She”s a single mother with two school
aged children. Her car finally died late last year and she has been getting to
work using the city bus and friends who give her a ride. The city bus stop is
about half a mile from our building and this young lady has never been late for
work once. She is currently saving money to buy another car. She has a very
bright personality and she has the potential to be a leader among her peers.
However, her constant stuggles with trying to better herself have affected her
and her self image. I think she”s worth the investment; because she can
change her world around her…including the lives of her children. Potential is
a terrible thing to have because it means there is ”unrealized
capacity” present. I would like to see her realize her capacity, and
I think a car given to her by a stranger would be a boost that may alter her
life forever.

From Rice, Minnesota:

I would like to nominate my sister, Cynthia. She is a single
parent with one daughter in high school and one in college. She currently drives
a 1994 Geo Prism with 275,000 miles. It”s not in the best shape, but it”s paid for.
She was self employed as a Guardian Ad Litem (the legal representative for
children in the court system) up until a year ago when she sought a career
change. Unfortunately, she has been unemployed since that change. Since then,
while looking for a job, she has taken many free classes at the St Cloud
Workforce Center, she volunteers with single, pregnant teenagers, is registered
to take the LSAT on June 8, 2009 and is training for her 6th marathon. I know
that she has financially and emotionally struggled with raising two beautiful
children for 21 years and I would love for her to receive this gift from you. I
have no idea what it”s like to be a single parent and not having that
support of a spouse. I am in awe of her strength, perseverance and the
challenges that her family faces. Thank you for this opportunity and
HAVE FUN giving away such a fabulous vehicle.

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From DuBois, Pennsylvania:

A co-worker (name) is a single mother of 3. She got
herself and her children out of a horrible situation with her ex-husband and
father of the children. She had nowhere to go and no family support, so they
lived in a shelter for 2 years in a town where they didn”t know anyone.
Since then, she has gotten an apartment, a job, and is even taking college
classes to give herself and her kids the best life possible. Her faith in God
and a lot of hard work and sacrifice has gotten her where she is today. But with
only one income, she struggles every day. She drives a minivan now that needs
constant repairs, and I feel that she deserves to drive a Jaguar!

From Houston, Texas:

I nominate (name). She”s a single mom with 2
children living at home – son in high school and daugher in 3rd grade. She
recently divorced her husband because he was abusive. She”s also a
Brownie Girl Scout co leader with me. She sincerely wants to provide for
herself and her children. Her car broke down before Christmas and it was
determined it wasn”t worth putting any more money into it. She sold it
for parts. She also lost her job as a sitter for an elderly woman. She now
babysits in her apartment complex. She has been know to ride the Houston
Metro bus from SE Houston to the Girl Scout office to drop off forms, pick up
cookies. She walks to grocery store. I wanted to help her financially myself,
but didn”t want to get further in debt. She doesn”t want or
need a fancy car, just something that is reliable and doesn”t cost alot
to maintain. She is worthy because she wants to make a better life for her and
her kids. She has a strong s ense of parenting in that when her oldest son, who
had received a scholarship to a university, failed too maintain his eligibility, she
allowed him to stay at her apartment until he refused to save his money to go to school and
refused to help with living expenses. She told him he needed to find other
living arrangements which he did with his father who is much more lax in his
parenting skills. Please help her become more self reliant. Thanks

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From Lubbock, Texas:

Hi Glenn,

I believe that my step-grandson deserves the car. He is a
very awesome young man, I am not just saying that because I am his granny. I
have been blessed to see him grow up from an unruly 9 year old to a beautiful
well rounded man. He is 19 years old and has a twin brother. He also has
an older brother. All three of them are in the military. He was the wild
child and trouble maker but amazingly in his early teens did a complete
turnaround. He is a corpsman in the United States Navy Reserves. He has not
been deployed but will most likely be in the near future to serve as medic for
the United States Marines. He is saving all his money and drives an old 1990′s
Grand Prix car that was given to him by my daughter. Her first car. He is very
appreciative and has kept the car in very good running order and takes pride
in all he does. He has seen his brothers and all his friends buy the newest latest
greatest t hings and he does not submit to peer pressure and get into debt like they do.

He has future goals and sticks to them to be able to provide for his life plans
for the future. He has shown he strives for integrity and honor. He is not a
typical teenager that has the entitlement attitude. He works hard and has a
great time no matter what the chore he is doing. He has a special zeal and joy
for life. He brings joy to his family and friends by his positive outlook and
excellent example. If he were able to receive the car he could give his car to
another deserving person. He has not had an easy life and yet has made his life
as positive and productive as any person I know. I see great things in his
future. He has learned from others mistakes and applied them to his own life.
He would make you proud if he were awarded the car and he would be so
appreciative. I appreciate your consideration.
Thank you for all you do you are a source of inspiration to all us.

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From Wilkesboro, North Carolina

My daughter and her husband both served in the North Wilkesboro National Guard. She served for 11 months in Iraq. When she returned from Iraq, she and her husband, who previously served a year active duty near Washington, DC shortly after 9/11, like so many military couples who have been separated by this war, were unable to reunite their
marriage which ended in divorce. She has two children, and works as a teachers aide
and a one-on-one assistant to a student who is blind. She does brail books and
his homework assignments in brail. She also tutors other students after
school for more income. Both her sons are very active in sports and she is
constantly on the road taking them to and from practice and ballgames. She is a
good mother who provides a home and all lifes” necessitieson an income of less than $20,000 per year. She could definitely use this car to the betterment of herself and her family. She has worked hard, served her country, gives so much of herself to her students at school. Please consider herl in your decision for this car. Thank you.

From Lexington, Kentucky:

My sister in Jefferson City TN can really use this vehicle. She has Multiple Sclerosis (MS) which can be proven. She still walks & still has her eyesight, but her medical bills have ruined her family’’s finances. In fact, her husband had to take a job serving inside a military compound in Afghanistan supporting our US Military troops. One year ago, her oldest son also joined the Marines to help support her… but realistically he barely supports himself. I love her sooo much! My father & I have had to make 7 hour round trips to her home in Jefferson City on many occasions to help her repair her van. I personally think she bought a flood damaged vehicle from an unscrupulous car dealer, when she first got it. I felt your email was heaven sent. I was just thinking about her, when it showed up in my inbox. She gets treatment for her MS in Knoxville, which is more than 1 hour away. She lives alone for 6 months out of the year, trying to support herself & her two other children. She needs some good fortune. Please, call or write me. I would love to pick her up & deliver her to your wonderful car. Thanks so much for considering my prayer request.

PS – We met when you spoke at Matt Bacak’s Wealth Madness seminar in Atlanta in August 2007. This would make feel so great!

PPS – You could also use my pictures & more in your marketing efforts. I really think you’re an awesome guy. Imagine… a real Christian marketer?!!

Thanks again. ~ Lee

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From Iowa:

(Name) of Aimes, Iowa is back from 2 tours of Iraq and is
currently enrolled in college at Iowa State University trying to better himself
through education. He still serves in the National Guard and was recently
married and he is a devout Christian. His wife is just finishing her degree and
working full time as well. They deserve a break and are such a wonderful example
of what it means to be ”Great Americans” fighting for and living the American dream!

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From Wisconsin:

With these tough economic times, I understand that there are many
people that are struggling to survive. The first person that came to mind after
reading this article is my sister. She is a newly married 19
yr old who loves to help others. She is an excellent caregiver and goes beyond
what is expected to perform her job duties. She assists people with
disabilities, traumatic brain inujuries, etc… Her husband lost his job almost
immediately after they married and had been working from one temp agency to
another and now he”s unemployed. I see her struggle on a daily basis
and know how much it would mean to her to receive such a blessing. Currently
they own two cars together and neither of them work. It”s one of those
situations where the repairs cost more than the car’’s actual value.

Thank you for what you are doing Mr.Shepard. I’’m sure that you will put
a smile on someones face and that is the fuel that keeps this world spining.
Thank you for considering my sister and may you also have much more to thank for.

Sincerely,
Daniel Rodriguez

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From Las Vegas, Nevada:

First, I think this is a wonderful gesture on your part to help
out an individual. Thank you for everything you do for me with your
newsletters. I read them all.

The person I want to nominate is my Daughter and
Son-in-Law. My Son-in-law served in the US Navy on the USS Camden for Operation
Enduring Freedom. In fact, they were scheduled to get married on September 15,
2001 and their wedding was cancelled due to his deployment. They were able to
get married later that month, but he was only given 2 days to spend with his new
wife and they never got their dream wedding in the mountains. Since he was
discharged from the service, they have had 2 beautiful children and they are
expecting their 3rd child this Fall. Recently they have both been laid off from
their family business due to the economy and have one vehicle that is on
it”s last leg. They have not been able to afford another vehichle and
will possibly loose their home to forclosure if they do not find work soon. I would love for them to have a vehicle that will enable them to
find work and not have to constantly worry about transportation. I was a
struggling single mother for 20 years, and have done my best to help my children
to pay it forward and help others as much as possible. If you could consider
them I would be eternally grateful. They are very honest and deserving individuals.

Sincerely grateful… Marinda

From Oklahoma:

First of all thank you for this wonderful gift you are about to bestow on someone. What you are doing is truly admirable! (Name of nominee) is a wonderful young man despite his unfortunate raising. He is 17 years old and has been through more than any 40 yr old man should have to go through yet he holds his head up high and takes each day at a time.

He lives in a camper outside his grandparents home in rural Oklahoma. They were the only family that would take him in after his lousy parents stopped caring. Unfortunately they live too far for the school bus to pick him up. He has an old, barely running vehicle that he has to work on every day just to keep it running, yet he never misses school. No one cares about this kid but somehow he gets up every morning with a smile on his face and doesn’t complain about his situation. He has a very good head on his shoulders, has plans for his future and therefore picks up odd jobs around town doing anything and everything he can to earn enough money to keep the vehicle running, pay his own lunches and buy gas.

No job is beneath him. To find this trait in our youth these days is unheard of. This gift would instill in him the true meaning of why you are doing it and he can pay it forward for a life time. Again, thank you for this opportunity.
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From Florida:

Wow, this is a God send for our family; My son and his wife could really use a car (a Jag was not what I would have chosen, however Free makes it a great opportunity for them). They are a young married couple with a 2 yr old son. My son is a Navy reservist; he has served 2 years with the Navy, Stateside. Currently my daughter-in-law is completing her college courses. She plans to seek a teaching position teaching English and Women’s Literature to high school students. He has been working as a maintenance person for the housing complex that they live in, his income is approximately $25k per year and they only have one vehicle, which gets her to and from school and later to work.

To help economize, he has invested in a good bike to get him around his area while she uses the car during the day; they cannot afford child care, but her Mom has helped daily while he works. She is graduating Cum Laude on May1, and we are so proud. They are a great couple, high school friends and later sweethearts; loving parents; both with great future potential for financial success; they do not waste money and enjoy simple things and family. If I had the financial ability to help them with a car I would do so, but my best hope would be for you to select them to receive this car. Who better to receive a gift of a car than a young couple, working hard to become financially strong by focusing on education and giving to the community thru education.

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From Indiana:

I am an employee at our local area agency on aging here in Vincennes, IN. We also run a call center here that is utilized as a help line for health and human services. A few months ago, I received a phone call from a young woman needing financial assistance in order to pay off a large, overdue rent bill. She explained to me that her husband was injured during his most recent tour in Iraq and his VA benefits had not yet come through. He had applied for assistance before coming home to the US and this information was somehow lost at the VA headquarters. She had been working as much as she could, and he had just started collecting unemploment benefits due to not being able to work as a result of his injuries. They had humbly asked for help from various family members and could still not come up with enough money to cover the bill.Their landlord was planning on evicting them within the month.

You could tell by talking to both of these people, that they were hard-working and just trying to stay above water. He had thought about going to the local paper with his story about how many problems/issues he had acquired upon returning to the US and more importantly, how little assistance he had received from the VA, government, etc.

Our office discussed the way some of our soldiers get treated when they return home. So many of them have problems getting back into civilian life and they are not compensated well for their service. We eventually did rally together in order to help them cover this bill. One of my co-workers even donated $100 of her own money (she has 3 children at home).

The couple was so thankful. They had us write the check to the landlord and send it personally to her. All they needed was to just keep a roof over their heads. He has since received more help with straightening out his VA benefits, but they continue to struggle. I believe they would be grateful and deserving recepients of this generous gift. I hope you consider them! Thank you!

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From Ohio:

She is a single 29-year old mother of a 15 month old who is my Godson. He has multiple health issues, and every day she is looking for a way to get him to his next appointment or get his formula. She lives in an area that is not close enough to a store or health center that she can just walk. She had to give up her job at a hospital (she worked there for a few years) as a phlebotomist to have her child. She gets no help from the father, all she gets is government income. Without a car, she does not see how she will get a job or get the old one back. She has a car sitting in the driveway but it does not belong to her; it is her ex”s mother”s car who is desperately wanting it back. Please find it in your heart to help her out so she can be independent again and get back on her feet!

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From Texas:

My niece’s surviving spouse. My niece died from facial soft tissue cancer last June and left her husband with two daughters ages 11 & 9. Prior to her death, he lost his job. He went for a job interview two weeks ago and the transmission in his truck went out. He is trying to get things back in order and find a job but without transportation, it will be very difficult. They have minimal income at this time.

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From Iowa:

My son is processed into the Navy with a ship date in December. His ship date will change to not to far out into the future. He is joining the Special Forces as an EOD-Explosive expert that is a part of the Navy Seals. He will be gone the minumum of 6 years with his first tour of duty. When he leaves the Navy, he wants to become a DEA agent or work for the Secret Service protecting our country from terrorist and from drug runners. He will spend nearly 2 years in training for the Special Forces and will be based in various locations through out the United States. He currently drives a 1999 Lincoln Navigator with 255,000 miles on it.

He loves the Navigator, but the gas mileage is what kills him. I know with allof the traveling he is going to be doing, that a car that has better gas mileage, as well as class-as proven by the pictures you provided, this would make him a great car. He is 18 years old, graduated High School in 2008, is currently working in a factory, and struggles every day to make each penny count. He listens to Dave Ramsey already, will never own a credit card, will pay with cash always or he doesn’t need what ever it is, and has his head on straight in regards to the world.

He is a Christian and has gone on mission trips to Apalachia to help the people who need the help the most. He will give anyone a ride who has been drinking, even if it made him late getting home. He has a very big heart that he gives a part of to many people. His decision to join the Navy was based on several different things: college paid for, training into a trade paid for, serving his country and becoming the man he wants to be. He has always been in the talented and gifted programs, has been an athlete, and has helped many of his ”friends” stop drinking or doing drugs and turn their lives around.

Anyway, I feel my son deserves this car because he truly understand the almighty dollar and has his financial future set up already. My husband also watches Dave Ramsey and the two of them have very in depth conversations during this time. He is the person you are looking for and I can’t say enough about him. I am proud he is my son and has his future planned well.