I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with food and family! This holiday season I want to challenge you to be extra generous with your time, money and resources.
In honor of that, I am very excited to share with you this contest I am doing and I need your help! So watch the video and pass this on to your contact list!
[youtube V54VWBbk6Wk]
Instructions:
1. Send the link to this webpage to your contact list to let them participate.
2. Sign up for your free gift at the top right of this website.
3. Click http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V54VWBbk6Wk if you want to make a video reply to this video
4. If you want to nominate a mom using this blog, click on the “Comment” link at the bottom of this page and post your reply. Please include: your name, contact info, and as many sentences and paragraphs as it takes to tell me why the mom you are nominating deserves the $500.
The contest will end Dec 21st, 2008 and the winners will be announced soon after.
I would like to nominate my friend and co-worker Kris. She is going through a stressful time and is soon to become a single mom of her three kids. Despite the stress, she manages to keep a positive attitude, work as a volunteer EMT and Fire Fighter and work in an extremely busy high school attendance office. She is a great mom to her kids! She’s always doing things for them on her lunch break every day (dentist appointments, going to buy black shoes for the orchestra concert etc.) At the high school she is like a “surrogate mom” to many of the students. The students often seek her out as someone to talk to because she listens to them. She also often talks with many parents regarding their children’s attendance issues helping them to know or figure out what is going on – so valuable to parents of teens! Kris doesn’t talk much about or complain about the stress she has been dealing with. She took up running this summer to help herself deal with the stress and she completed a half marathon in the fall. She is a great role model to her three kids and all of the kids at the high school. I do know she no longer has a TV and keeping her home is very important to her. I’m sure $500.00 would really help her give her kids a nice Christmas.
Hi Dustin,
I would like to nominate Shricca Yankaway, a mother of a family that my family is “adopting” for the holidays. She is a 28 year old mother and has recently faced extremely difficult times. She was diagnosed with cancer a few years ago and the chemo treatment has severely affected her hearing. She has complete hearing loss in one ear and hearing is deteriorating in the other. She not only has the responsibility of raising her only child as a single mother but due to extaordinary circumstances, she has custody of two nieces as well. Through it all, she has led a responsible life and does the best she can to make ends meet but often comes up short.
I feel that she would be deserving of a gift of money especially during these uncertain economic times.
Thank you for considering her. It’s truely a wonderful thing that you are doing.
Dineen
Hi there -
I’d love to nominate a very special woman in Wisconsin Rapids, Dee Dee Alonzo. She’s a native of northern California who loved small-town Wisconsin life so much that she moved a couple years ago from San Francisco. She’s the mother of a beautiful 4 year old boy named Sam, who was quite a surprise to her family when he was born. As a single mom with a thankless job, she works hard to support her family and spends tons of time helping her son grow into an honest and hardworking kid. She walks in charity walk-a-thons about 3 times yearly, and always takes Sam so that he can see how important it is to help others. DeeDee also is very involved with fundraising and toy collection for Nicaraguan refugee children in Costa Rica, a charity that she and her boss are very involved in. For someone with so little herself, she is remarkably charitable and civic-minded. She’s looking to start a college fund for her boy, and this would help as seed money for sure!
What a nice thing you’re doing.
I would like to submit my good friend and coworker, Lisa Geissler, as a deserving mom. She is very devoted to her son Bronz and has been an incredible role model for him. As a single mom with a very busy job, I am continually impressed by what she is able to accomplish. No matter what she has going on, Bronz is her first priority. She maintains a very healthy, active lifestyle and shares that with her son. Fitness and a healthy diet are very important to her. She and Bronz kayak, camp, and do numerous other activities together. She is also always looking for ways in which to challenge him academically. She tries to encourage his interests and continually finds ways in which he can grow (cub scouts, science camp, etc…). As a result, Bronz is a well rounded and happy kid. He is very athletic as well as incredibly smart. I think Lisa deserves a lot of credit for the confidence she has instilled in him. In a time where childhood obesity is at an all-time high and many kids watch too much tv, I think it is great to see parents like Lisa taking a stand against that. She has done that not just by words, but by the actions she takes.
Hi Dustin,
This is a very neat thing that you are doing, thank you.
I know many wonderful and deserving mothers but after much thought, I have decided to nominate my mother-in-law, Pat.
She raised my husband and brother-in-law as a single mother in the 70′s on a very, to put it nicely, modest income. My husband said he never felt he went without anything but I know they were on foodstamps and things were very tough much of the time. For a while they even used boxes as furniture and all slept in the same bed. Pat has continued to live a modest life. Heck, she still has her dining room table from the 70′s when my husband was a kid coupled with plastic patio chairs to sit on. She recently bought her first new shower curtain in almost 20 yrs or something crazy like that. Basically, she rarely treats herself to anything new or nice.
One thing I am truly grateful for is how she raised my husband. Living under those circumstances, she taught him to appreciate and make the most of everything they had. He learned to be frugal with his money and carries no debt. That is a wonderful and rare thing this day and age. She taught him to mend his clothes, cook and to be a very handy with just about everything. He truly loves his mom and I think we all know how that can positively translate to me as his wife.
Pat is retired and living on a fixed income. The recent dip in the stock market hit her pretty hard. We are working right now to get her into a different apartment. Fortunately, we have found a much nicer and fairly new senior housing complex compared to her current apartment. The rent is based on income so she will be able to save some money each month and it will offer a much more pleasant living environment. It has an elevator which will be necessary very soon – she is facing knee replacement surgery in both legs. Plus it is on the west side of Madison much closer to us and her grandson.
We are trying to convince her to get something nice for herself when she gets this new apartment. A new, comfortable chair or something. As you can imagine, it has been a hard sell. I know if she were to win this contest the money would be put to good use. It would be nice for such a great mom to be able to finally treat herself without worry after 72 years.
Thank you for your consideration of my mother-in-law, Pat
Dawn
I would like submit my big sister Brenda. She is amazing. Life has been a little tough on her. She is a single mother of two amazing children Mikaya Mary Pat (named after my mother who passed away about 14 years ago) and Donavan. Brenda is one of the most generous people I know. Even though she barely makes it herself every month she always makes time to give her friends and family. Recently her job has had to cut some of her ours because of the economy, and have enforced mandatory week long lay offs. While she gets to be a “normal mom” during that time and stay home and take care of her two children, it doesn’t help much when the bills keep rolling in. Brenda has an amazingly big heart and will never let life bring her down. She has done a wonderful job providing for her family financially, emotionally and spiritually. I cannot think of someone who would be more deserving of some extra cash this holiday season than my big sister Brenda. Thanks Dustin.
Hello Dustin,
First let me commend you for this very generous idea and gift you are willing to provide 3 very desevering ladies.
My friend, Jodi Sveum, is a deserving candidate for your consideration. Jodi is an single, working MOM of 2 very bright, energetic and wonderful children. Dylon is an 11 year old boy who is a very smart, respectful and mature young man beyond his years. Mackenzie is a 4 year old girl who is intelligent and exudes personality that lights up a room. Jodi has done an extremely commendable job raising her two children in spite of economic challenges, long hours of dedicated work and service to her community. During her 11 years as a mom, Jodi has incurred many financial challenges along with personal challenges, yet she has remained committed to being the best mother, friend and neighbor that she can be. Jodi is indeed a GREAT and GENEROUS mother, friend and neighbor to those of us who know her and those who haven’t yet had that pleasure of meeting her.
Dustin, I highly recommend Jodi Sveum to you for your consideration of your generosity.
With thanks, Happy Holidays to you and your family.
Victor
Hey! I am sixteen years old and my mom, Jill Price, is an outstanding, single mother. She is a strong woman in Christ and has always lead me down the right path even when I’ve made it hard for her. I don’t currently live with her, because a series of events occured in Minnesota where I used to live and she felt it was important for me to get away from the school I was at. It was the hardest thing she had ever done and is now trying to move closer to my grandparent’s house, where I live. She drives two and a half hours almost every weekend to see me and even takes off work when she needs the money the most to support me. She raised me alone when I was younger and is now trying to raise me while she’s living so far away. She has been my support through out all my life. She is my best friend, but before anything, she is my amzing, loving mother. She never gives up and keeps pressing on even through the hardest of trials that God and I put her through. I wanted to submit my request for her to win this gift to show her how much i appreciate her since she has given me the best life anyone has ever dreamed of having.
Thank you for reading my reqeust.
Mackinzee
I would like to nominate my mother Barbara for this award. She has been a single mother for the past 22 years and is truly the strongest woman I know. I admire her more than words can say.
My father passed away shortly after my third birthday (I am now 26), leaving my mom alone to raise three children under the age of 10. In addition to going back to work, she went back to school to receive her Associates Degree. I know that she would have liked to continued her education and received her Bachelors Degree, but she put mine and my brothers wants and needs first. She wanted to make sure that my brothers and I were able to participate in all the activities we wanted to in order to keep us on the right track, which it did. I am so thankful for her selflessness. Unfortunately, letting my brothers and I participate in all of our activities took a toll on her bank account although she never let on that this was happening. My mother currently lives paycheck to paycheck. I am going for my masters and hope to one day be able to support her like she supported me.
I believe that God gave me such a wonderful, inspiring mother because he knew that he was going to take my father away at a young age. If I become half the woman she is, I will truly consider myself a success. She is not only my mother, she is my BEST friend. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to nominate her and share just how special I think she is.
I would like to nominate my younger sister Jackie. She is one of the most amazing people I know. She is a mother of 3, a full time teacher, and a health enthusiast. She gives so much of herself to others without expecting anything in return. As a teacher, she has a very modest income but she always makes sure her class and the students have everything they need. She is also very active in the sports program at school; coaching, on athletic board, on school commission, to name a few. She also is very active herself; she plays volleyball, softball, and even did her first half marathon a while back. The reason that I feel she is so deserving as I have said above is that she provides for others and she deserves to have something back even though she would never ask. I hope you will consider her for this deserving mom giveaway.
Hi Dustin,
What a fantastic idea! There are a million incredible women in my life that are more than deserving. The one that I would like to nominate is Michelle Phaneuf. Michelle is a devoted mother of three beautiful little girls, born within a 3 year span. After having her second, she and her husband made the decision that she would become a stay at home mom. Not only was it a great decision for them, but it was for me as well. Michelle watches my two angels every day in addition to hers. Yes, five little girls, all day long. My girls adore her and she them. As the option to stay home is not available for me at this time, my girls have the next best thing. A stay at home mom that loves them, has my same ideals, and keeps them moving. Michelle doesn’t allow TV time, stresses the important of exercise for people of all ages, and always aims to feed the girls balances meals. This woman is a role model for me. She reaches out to everyone, with an open heart and home. Thanks for considering her and have a Merry Christmas.
I received this email for consideration.
Our nephew, Ryan, the 10-month old son of Joe (Ken’s brother) and Sharese, was recently diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). This is a motor neuron disease that affects voluntary muscles used for crawling, walking, head/neck control, and swallowing. Lack of muscles used for breathing and coughing can lead to an increased tendency for pneumonia and other lung problems. Fortunately, his intellectual activity is normal, and he is an adorable, happy and bright little guy.
Ryan will likely never be able to crawl or walk, and he, like all SMA patients, will be severely medically involved throughout his life. Exposure to viruses must also be kept to a minimum. This has placed an incredible financial and emotional burden on Joe and Sharese. One of them will have to quit their job to stay home with Ryan. A multitude of items will be needed, including equipment to transport him through his home and to assist him with activities such as breathing and feeding. The list is very long. In addition, they will need to purchase a vehicle with a wheelchair lift and major modifications will need to be made to their home to make it accessible for Ryan as he gets older.
As with all parents, Joe and Sharese hope to give Ryan the best life he can possibly live.
Please consider this family for the $500.
I would like to nominate my Mom, Judy Turner. She is an amazing woman. She gives more to other people than anyone I know and does it out of love for her family and friends. She is part of the “sandwich generation”. She is caring for elderly and ill parents and helping her kids and grandkids whenever she can. My Mom works three days a week in a fast-paced environment at Habitat for Humanity and then travels to Hartland, WI at least two days a week to help her Mom with grocery shopping or cleaning and visiting her ill Dad at a nursing home. This year in particular was difficult: Helping her Mom care for her Dad who has Parkinsons, Alzheimers and was recently diagnosed with Melanoma as well as transitioning my Grandpa into a nursing home. She has spent countless hours in doctor appointments and filling out paperwork. In many ways, she now has taken on a parent role.
I am a stay at home Mom with 2 active little boys who she loves dearly. Grammy, as they call her, is very special to them, she makes an effort to spend quality time with them and it shows in their interactions that they have a special bond.
She has little to no time to herself and when she does have free time, she chooses to spend it helping others…either by asking me if she can watch the boys so I get the house clean or run errands or taking a friend to a physical therapy appointment or helping out her parents. She also goes above and beyond her job requirements at Habitat for Humanity, making the voluteers feel special and the families are taken care of.
She is an extrodinarily giving woman and is deserving of this award. Please consider her for this wonderful award.
Happy Holidays, Lindsay Lyons
Dustin,
Awesome idea! I love it that you are using your own Mom as inspiration to help so many moms (including me) improve their health, wellness and self-confidence. It is especially cool that you are using this contest to “give something back”. Following your example, I’d like to nominate my own mom “Nan” (Nancy Lang). From the earliest age, she got me and my five siblings out hiking, swimming and participating in physical fitness competitions. She encouraged me to go out for track in junior high which led me to captain the state champion cross country team in high school. I have been a runner ever since. She was a single mom (like I am now) and had to make due on a shoestring. I remember her spending long hours in the winter chopping wood for our fireplace and reminding me that it makes you twice warmed: once chopping and again sitting near the fire. She is still the most physically fit woman her age (69) that I have yet to meet. At 5’7″, she weighs just 130 lbs and hikes about five miles a day. She has often joined me to cheer for my daughter (her granddaughter) at swim competitions where she is the loudest fan in the stands. I turned her onto weight training recently and now she does that too. She lives on a fixed income and can’t afford a health club membership or trainer but I would like to see her do that because I know it would help her stay motivated if she made friendships in the gym to work out with. Her mom (my Nana) was a PE teacher and swim coach as well as a breast cancer survivor. I think that influenced her to maintain a healthy lifestyle all these years. My sister, daughter and I run annually to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer in honor of our Nana. So we are four generations of fit moms!
I want to vote for Judy Turner nominated by her daugher, Lindsay Lyons.
First of all, I’d like to commend you for thinking of moms. At your age there aren’t too many men who give so much credit and consideration to their mother. You are a great role model. I’m sure your mother is very proud of you!
I’d like to nominate my wife, Patty, for consideration. She is a loving, patient and nurturing mother to our two young sons, ages 4.5 and 20 MOS. My wife, Patty, decided to become a stay at home early in life because her mother was always home for her and her siblings. I was happy she felt that way when we first met because I always wanted my future children to be raised by their mother. Patty quit teaching elementary school to become a stay at home mom while six months pregnant with our first son.
Now Patty is home for our kids, providing them love and comfort throughout the day. She plays with them and tries to teach them new activities that are both educational and fun in between her breaks from working on her online business. Patty enjoys hiking, biking, and dancing as physical activities to keep her fit. This is one of the things that attracted me to Patty, she was fit and active, and ready to try new things. However, since becoming a mother she has found it hard to fit the time into those activities, while also trying to work from home and care for our children. In addition, since having children Patty has become more easily fatigued due to clinical depression and heart palpitations caused by a mitral valve disorder discovered after our first son’s birth.
Patty desires to stay home with our children until they are at least school age, so she has been working hard to promote her online business. She works long and late hours doing this, yet the time she has put into it has provided little income, but is one thing she is determined to succeed at. I have been out of work for nearly six months. During this time I have done my best to help care for the boys so she can concentrate more on developing and growing her business.
The prize money from this contest would greatly help our family enjoy a better Christmas, while also paying off some bills. We will still have a lot of catching up to do, but are hopeful the new year will bring us back on track. Thank you for thinking of moms and providing this opportunity.
I would like to nominate my loving wife Shelly. She is a stay at home mom to our 3 boys. Our oldest son is 4 and we also have twins who are 22 months. Being a stay at home mom to little boys and keeping the house in order is beyond a full time job. I personally do not know how she does it. Our twins are into everything all day long and she is constantly picking up the house while trying to get dishes and laundry done. Since we only have one income and 5 mouths to feed my wife does not get to buy new clothes and other things for herself. This prize money would be a great gift for her to spend on herself for all of her hard work at home.
Thank you for considering Shelly in this contest!
I would like to nominate my daughter Tami. She is an incredible mother of 3. As a teenager she was overweight and seemed to find comfort in food. After she got married, and started to have children, the weight seemed to add on. In praying about her frustrations to God, he showed her His love and what she could do to be free of food addictions. She proceeded to start eating healthy, exercise when she could, and after a year, had lost over 100lbs- without any meds, or diet fads! Just diligence, determination and dicipline! She has keep this weight off for about 6 years now. She juggles motherhood, working part-time and husband/family/church life. She makes choices every day to walk in love, unselfishness, and hope. Even when circumstances don’t always look positive, and life brings challanges, struggles, and financial pressures- she knows where her help comes from. GOD. Walking has been theraputic -when she has a moment to herself. Or she puts the kids on their bikes and brings them along. One day her children will praise her, but for now…as her mom- I will. Thank you for all your imput into women’s lives and health Dustin.
I would like to nominate my new friend and co-worker, Jodi Sveum as the most deserving Mom this holiay season. Jodi is an exceptional mother to two beautiful children, Dylan and McKenzie. Earlier this fall, I had the opportunity to meet and befriend Jodi when I started working in the same office as her. In the short amount of time that I’ve been able to spend with Jodi so far, it’s obvious that being a “mom” is not only Jodi’s number one priority in life, but something that she is so proud of and sees as her favorite part of the day.
Times have been tough for everyone, especially this holiday season… and Jodi and her family are no exception. The economic strain has made it necessary for Jodi to work two jobs – and she does this not because she wants what is best for her kids. I know that having an extra $500 this month would mean so much to my friend. Not only would it allow her to worry less about Christmas this year, but it would give her what she needs to be the best mom that she can be.
We all know that being mom is not always a simple task, and it requires a heart full of unconditional love. Well, Jodi already has this part of being a mom taken care of. An extra $500 this month would be icing on the cake to the wonderful life that she is living with her family right now.
I would like to nominate my mom Buffie. Yes her name is Buffie, but it’s just a nickname!
My mom has paid for me to attend 4 sessions of bootcamp. She knows how much I wanted to get into a fitness routine and volunteered to be my sponsor. As long as she sees results! We had our second daughter in February and my husband is losing his job in a couple weeks. So things have been a little tight this year for us, and she does all she can to help us out when we need it. I would like her to win this money so I can pay her back for some of the sessions she paid for. She will do anything for us and we are very grateful.
Thanks
Becky
This is such a great thing you are doing Dustin!!
I would like to nominate my mother Shirley. I am so blessed to have my mom in my life. Not only is she my mom, but she is my inspiration, my friend and my biggest cheerleader. She always has put everyones needs above her own. Working two jobs in my younger years just to make ends meet, but never did much complaining. She was always the first to step and ask how she could help. When my third child was born with Down Syndrome she was there lending a shoulder to cry on and always there to give me a helping hand no matter what time or day.
This year has been an especially hard one for her. She has been through 2 surgeries, the toughest being her knee replacement in September. She had a torn meniscus and osteoarthritis, so after months on pain medication,surgery was the next step. It has been a big set back for her because she is such an active independent women used to having others rely on her, she now has to rely on others. It is tough to see her intense pain and depression going through the rehabilitation process. I wish I could make it go away for her. She continues therapy 2 times per week for her knee and her hip since this has been hurting her also. She contiues to make progress but still has a long way to go. Through it all and having her thyroid removed due to cancer, she has managed to lose a total of 40 lbs. She set a goal to lose 25 before the surgery and has taken off 15 more. Since she is used to being active, whether it be playing with her grandchildren, helping others or spending time in her yard/garden, she is now just watching what she eats. If mom is picked to recieve this gift, it would help her greatly since she has been out of work and is not sure when or if she will be able to return. She has also recently expressed interest in trying to save up for a used stationary bike to help her.
Thank so much for your consideration,
Michelle
I’d like to nominate my daughter Becky. After having her 1st daughter 4 yrs. ago she really struggled to get the excess pregnanacy weight off. To our delight, daughter #2 arrived last Feb. and though she didn’t gain an excessive amount she had even more to lose then. When Becky mentioned to me that some of her friends were starting to go to a bootcamp last summer I had a feeling she might want to try it. I knew money was a little tight for her family this yr. so I challenged her and offered to pay for it. She knew I’d nag her to death if she didn’t finish the session! Great motivation…she not only finished it but has taken two more sessions and the inches and lbs. keep coming off, and she’s so much stronger. More than anything though, she’s happy, and really enjoying the class. She has a busy family and works nearly full time so getting up at 5AM in that frigid WI weather is no small feat! I’m SOOO proud of her. I’d love for her to be able to continue and winning this money would be a real reward for her for doing such a great job and for providing my granddaughters with such a good role model. Stay warm! Mimi in California
My very close friend, Valerie, turned 40 in March of this year while going through a messy divorce for which she had to borrow money from her family to retain two different lawyers. Her main goal was to be able to keep their house so that her 8 year old daughter – who was diagnosed with Juvenile Diabetes two years ago, could have some sense of normalcy during this very difficult time.
Val’s husband lost any and all interest in her physically after their daughter was born (and that is a long time to live as roommates). She was a stay-at-home mom and since she wasn’t working, she was made to feel bad when she spent any money at all.
She would have one night a week outside of the home and that was to have dinner with her sister and a friend while her husband “babysat” their daughter, keeping track of the time so that he could “get that time back” later.
When her husband insisted she needed to return to work, she returned to a job she had prior to becoming pregnant. It was close to home and her daughter’s school and offered flexible part-time hours which allowed her the opportunity to be close by if anything happened with her daughter’s diabetes and she needed to be there. Her job pays her $12.50 per hour and she only gets paid if she works. So if she stays home with her sick daughter (which she has had to do on more than a few occasions) or attends a school function with her daughter, she doesn’t get paid.
Now that Valerie has been away from her ex-husband, she has been able to get a little bit of her confidence back, but still has some work to do to get there. Her family and friends re-assure her all the time that she is a wonderful person and she will find someone special that wants to treat her right some day. Although she would like to get into better shape, she cannot afford a gym membership or the fees to take a class like your Mamatone, about which she has commented on in the past. She does read your newsletters and is very impressed (as are most people that know you and about you) with your commitment to helping others, particularly moms!
Valerie wanted to start running after I completed the Madison marathon, but was plagued with shin splints that didn’t allow her to continue. She has been trying to find a good work out plan that she can do at home that will work around her time with her daughter or work with the time she has with her daughter.
Valerie is truly an amazing person with a huge heart and is doing surprisingly well for what she has been through. She is an excellent mother, sister, and friend. Even though money is tight, she insisted on buying me dinner as a “Thank You” for helping update her resume and apply for jobs that will offer her more money and better benefits. She is an excellent candidate for this prize! Thank you!
I want to nominate Alicia Butz. Simply the BEST. Mom, Wife, FitMomma.
@Maribeth, thank you so much for paying for Beckys bootcamps. You have given her the gift of health and fitness which is priceless. It has been a pleasure working with her and I hope to continue to see her progress! Would love to meet you sometime if you ever make it back to cold WI!
Hi I am James Logan,
I am currently deployed in Iraq. I would like to nominate my wife. My wife has giving up he rmilitary carrer to raise our family, she has stood beside me through 4 deployments. WE have 3 beautiful daughters, our youngest had a blod cot to her small intestant and they removed 98% of it. Ever since them my wife has taken even more responsabilities being both her nurse and mother. I deployed in september 2009, 3 weeks after I left my daughte rgo tpicked up for her transplant. My wife picked up and left with our other 2 girls while pregnant. The stress of the transplant mad eour son come early she is going through this all alone. She deserves a break and I wish I could give it to her but I cant because I am here, in Iraq. please look st the attachemnt I sent. The local news madea story about our situation. It is so difficult to understand. http://www.wowt.com/home/headlines/74145752.html
Your idea of sharing at this special time of year is awesome. I would like to nominate Lisa Lundeen, my daughter-in-law, as one of the lucky mothers you honor.
She is so hard working and doing for everyone but herself. She is a mom of 7 mo old twin girls and a 9 year old daughter. She is so stressed and lacking of sleep that she has had some health issues. Her husband, Jeff, has just had health issues, as well, which are related to stress and lack of sleep.
She chose to work with a lady who does child care so she could be with her tiwns and care for them herself but it is a stressful situation. Child care was to expensive. Her twins are fussy babies and give her little rest. Her husband is a great helper but needs his rest to get over his health problems.
The prize money would be a blessing for her to pay a bill or two as well as maybe get some home help for small chunks of time on the weekend.
Your generousity is to be admired.
My simple wish Dustin is to visit your nearest domestic violence shelter and give it to the first mom who looks like they need a hug!
Take Care!