Dearest Ellen:
Please play the little Basketball player on your website. The May 28th 2009 clip.
I want to show my son who is a professional Referee.
Thank you,
Many more Blessings yor way.
Gayle Haack

Ellen - where is the video of the 6 year old basketball player on March 26 - wanted to show my grandson and can't find that video - surely you have one. HELP

Dear Ellen,
It's me again trying to find out if you have chosen a winner yet for the Neos
Game ??? Looks like it's going on , so I am writing again !!!
We're just getting into the swing of things at the Common Ground Coffeehouse at our church in New Bedford, Mass. . Still waiting for you to wear the "Lobster" Costume in the City. We're having a Seafood Festival this weekend on Sunday, September 14th and then The Waterfront Festival, Saturday & Sunday September
27th & 28th in New Bedford, Mass. on The Waterfront !!! We have our Christian Coffeehouse
this Friday with a great band called PS.32. They play music from the 60's, 70's and 80's but with
Christian lyrics !!!
Next month on November 14th will be our last youth-centered Coffeehouse for the winter, since we were told that the church is running in the "red" again because of the price of oil and they have to shut down the 2 halls downstairs under the Church .That means no
suppers, Sunday School,Choir rehearsal and "NO"
Coffeehouse for the youths !!!
So, please consider the youth at the Common Ground Coffeehouse for this Neos Game. We need to keep these kids busy and off the streets. Plus, I more excited about you wearing the "Lobster" costume . We also have a camping trip Columbus Day weekend, so we've not booked any band for October but the kids will have a Halloween Costume Party on October 24th !!That would be a great time for you to show up in costume and present us with the "NEOS GAME." This will probably be the last time I write before you end the Contest and I hope you will consider these kids because they so deserve it and we need the other members of the church to see that the Coffeehouse is working . There is not always alot of things for the youth to do in our City !!!
God Bless You,
Lizette David

Hi Ellen...

I think it's a great idea to pay the "NEOS" forward.

I'm sure it's going to be a difficult decision on where to donate such a wonderful product. And I'm sure you are getting tons of letters of who is the most deserving or in need.

Although I have a place that would get lots of enjoyment out of the unit I think it would be a great idea to share the use with as many people as possible. So my idea is to pick a letter from all the letters you get for use of "NEOS" for 6 months, then start collecting letters again online. Either have Ellen or the current user pick the next. This way it's continuously being introduced to multiple groups. And like most things, once you have it awhile, it would go unused. Why not excite as many people as possible and send in around the country. Call it "Ellen & NEOS go around the US".

That's my idea to share, now I would like to recommend a place of use. I live in Colchester, Vermont. It's a small town approximately 100 miles from the Canadian border. My son, Alex, who is 11 was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome last year. As a family, we've had many struggles throughout the years trying to help him find himself and help him grow & learn. See, Asperger's is on the Autism Spectrum and although it took many doctors with unsure thoughts and quick to judge as ADHD, we chose to fight and push through. Every day I am amazed at the amount of kids that are diagnosed with Autism each and every day. It seems like such an epidemic. More and more children are labeled incorrectly but once it's identified there is so much to do and offer to these kids.

After fighting and then coming together with the school system, the Colchester school district introduced a wonderful person to our community to work with all these children on the spectrum. Her name is Jody and she has been such a powerful adult in my son's life and learning in the past year. She has fought for these kids and brought new ideas to their learning stages and I applaude her.

This year she has worked with the Colchester school district to form a summer day camp for children on the spectrum to keep their learning momentum and introduce new friends. Alex even learned to ride a two wheeled bike without training wheels, he's even finding that many of his fears aren't as bad afterall and that he's not alone. This says alot for a group of adults volunteering their time to help these kids get on track.

I would like to see these kids have a chance of trying NEOS out. What s great way to have kids with a social disorder come together and have fun with each other and get some healthy exercise to boot.

Thanks for considering my idea & taking the time to read my letter. I love the idea of paying it forward. Both my kids are learning to pay it forward during the holidays. Our 2008 plan is to gift the NICU of the local hospital Beanie Baby toys to the babies as a holiday gift from two NICU graduates. My son Alex spent almost 3 months in the NICU when he was born at 29 weeks, my daughter Jordan was there for almost 3 weeks. It's a struggling time & paying forward is the best way I can teach them about sympathy and caring for others in need, even if only a hug or a shoulder to lean on. Thanks for paying it forward!! KUDOS to you ELLEN!!

Dear Ellen,

I am writing about the NEOS that you are going to give away. We live on the Air Force base in Anchorage, AK and have snow the majority of the school year. I am sure that the children at our school would love to have an activity that they could do inside. We don't have enough indoor activities to keep the children active all winter long. Our school would love to have the NEOS.

Thank you for all that you do!

I would love to get your Neo game for our school! I'm a middle school teacher and run the Activities at our school where I guide students to become leaders by having them run lunch activities to keep kids busy and out of trouble during this free time. It's been my mission as a middle school teacher of 15 years in the SF bay area to do everything I can to prevent bullying during this difficult age. The Neo game would be a fun game for kids to play and watch, probably bringing in a great size crowd, as we keep them occupied during lunch.

Ellen,
I'm 13 years old and i was wondering if the machine would fit in my basement and I LOVE YOUR SHOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! even though i only watch it three times
I want the michine
is because my family is poor we dont have alot of money and i want my brother to have fun
my family stay home most of the time, we just go to church and go to the market to buy food and i really want my family to have a better life
my dad is getting old very fast is because he thinks alot like when he is at work he thinks about me and my brother and my mom if we are safe
Its not only for my family
I have ALOT of people But They live in lehi and sometimes they come to my house and my cuosin ALWAYS say my home to so boring and there is nothing to do and they want to go home very soon
PlEASE?I just want to be a better cousin and sister i hope i get it for a christmas present but at christmas My family dont get nothing im talking about my mom and dad and brother and myself i hope i get something this christmas

I have one more question how big is it?
If i dont get it can you tell me by emailing me?

Sorry for brothering you
I Know I wont Get it
You much rather give it to somebody else

But can You write to me Please??????????????????????????????????????????????

Ellen-we are a new, 8 month old non-denominational church in Jamestown,NY. We are a small group right now, but I know that we will grow in time and our strong motivation is to reach children and young adults. I know that the neos game would be a blast and a sure eye catcher to children and adults alike! If we had this game in our church it would serve two purposes,it would be played by many children, allowing bonding and making new friends to take place in the process. It also would add to the joy of parents knowing that their children, while learning about God are also having a lot of fun!!!!!!! What a great idea and a blessing you are to donate this!!!!!!!!!!!!

hi ellen,
my name is wilma and me and my family live in a small town in kansas. we go to a great church and my husband is a leader on wenseday night kids night and his a sunday school teacher. we have 8 kids of our own and this little of a town there isn`t much for the kids to do so our kids night at our church gets alot of kids but we dont have alot to do. so when he seen your game..the neo`s he want me to tell you a little about our town and hopes that we might get a cool game for our kids to enjoy at our great church.

This would be an amazing addition to our Title I school located here in Louisville Ky. We are a school of 550 students, some with special needs, who have never had any playground equipment at our school. This year through a grant from KaBOOM! and Home Depot, plus other generous donors we were able to put some basic equipment on our grounds. However, this is not enough. Our students don't really have any access to local parks and as a Tap Into Fitness school (a program that promotes healthly lifestyle choices and habits) we sure could use a Neo!

I am a teacher at Cross Bayou Elementary as well as my schools Wellness Coordinator. I would love to have the Neo as part of our after school program for both teachers and students to use for physical activity. I believe if teachers can lead the way of change and activity, they can be great role models for the students. An active teacher will be able to motive his/her students to not only learn more but make healthy lifetime choices. Kristin

My church has a wonderful youth program which keeps kids busy(out of trouble)while motivating them to do great deeds. When I was young, we spent our summers rebuilding houses for the elderly. Currently, the youth program is at camp Barnabus. Camp barnabus is a camp for children living with disabilities. My sisters Bailey, Carley, and a score of kids from Cypress United Methodist Church spend a great deal of time at Camp Baranabus working with children with autism. I would love to see the neo waiting for them at the youth center upon their return. They give so much of themselves... they certainly deserve to be rewarded.

hey ellen I'm Passion and I am 11yrs.old I would like for me to get get the neos or my school which is called Christ Luthren. I think that I should get the neos because I really don't go out and play I like to sit and talk on the phone but if I get this game I think I might get more fit.
I also think my school should get it because at schools when kids like me have gym they don't really do what they need to do like running,jogging,and so on but I think you get the point.WE NEED THE NEOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dear Ellen,
Today I watched a re-run of your show which featured the Neos game. You may have already donated it by now but not sure so thought I would at least tell you about a place in my home town. We have a wonderful assisted living resort in our small community called the GOLDEN CREST SENIOR RESORT CENTER. This is a place where the elderly spend their final years. However, it is not a morbid place where you send your loved ones to die. It is where they go to LIVE and spend their final years having fun and enjoying life..

My husband & I have had the pleasure of doing several remodeling jobs there. We are always amazed at the spirited living at this facility. The owners, Tom & Lynn Matske, are the most caring, fun-loving people you would ever meet. They are continuously adding new ways to improve the quality of living for their clients.

Imagine 80-90+ year olds playing horseshoes, volleyball, planting their own gardens, etc. Sure they have bingo & crafts too but it is SO enjoyable to watch these people getting their physical exercise and laughing and having so much fun.

The NEOS game would be a wonderful addition to this facility. I can't think of a place that would use it and enjoy the game more. It would be a gift that would continue to give... it would give more exercise, more energy, more fun, and most importantly more LIFE.

Thanks for your consideration, Ellen and by the way, I love your show, even the re-runs!

Sincerely,
Sherry Ames

Dear Ellen,

Hey, we're all back from camping and when are you going to give that Neos Game away? The summer is almost over !!! The kids really deserve to have a great time with that game, especially when the church is going through so many changes now. Some still have one foot in the future but one foot in the past . Besides now, we're planning our fall fundraisers and I think a Chowder and Lobster Salad Supper would be just perfect for you to wear your "Lobster" costume at the door. I did it one time and wore an Easter Bunny costume at the Easter Bazaar because my now ex-husband was suppose to do it but that day he had a test to take and he couldn't do it !!!
I handed out "Bazooka" Bubblegum from an Easter basket on the busy street in front of the Church.
What better place than in New England, where New Bedford is the fishing capital of the world !!!
Take Care & God Bless,
Lizette David

Hello Ellen, It's Lizette again! I knew that tomorrow wasn't going to be a good day, remember it's Friday the 13th!! Guess what, found out today that the band for our Coffeehouse is coming at 6:30 instead of 7;30 . I'm placing a ladder right under the entrance of the door. Plus the Celtics have come back to be ahead of LAL 88-83 with 2 minutes left in game! Maybe tomorrow will be lucky after all !! Just got call, Pastor has bats at the parsonage. One of my youth group kids is on his way with Chairman of the Parsonage Committee to take care of the bats and it's 11:30 at night.
You have got to pick these kids for this Neos game. This community needs it too !! If we win the Contest and we get the game, we will offer it to all kids and youth events in the city and surrounding towns. We need to keep these kids off the streets. There isn't alot of things for the youth to do in our City. I'll personally go around to other organizations,churches,parks and other events this summer and fall. The weather is just perfect now, but you still have to wear that Lobster costume for us!!! There are going to be some "Food Festivals" around in the next month and that would be an opportunity for you to wear it. We have the best fishing in the WORLD. And New England is known for Lobster !!!
Luck changing, Celtics won 97- 91(Lakers) And they were down 20 in the 3rd quarter.
Take care & God Bless You,
B.A.S.I.C. Youth Group Leader
( We are all Brothers & Sisters in Christ)
Lizette

Hi! Ellen,
It's Lizette again! I had written to you on May 31st. the last day of May, so I thought I'd write on the 2nd of June !!! In my letter to you and your staff about our serious situation with our youth at Our Church, I forgot to mention the name of our Church, I was so nervous, I guess!!! Generally, I'm not at a loss for words !!! The name of our Church is First Congregational Church at Lunds Corner in New Bedford, Massachusetts. Our youth-centered Coffehouse is called the CommonGround Cafe !!! And guess what ? Our next scheduled Coffehouse is next Friday and guess what? I just looked it up on the calendar and it's Friday 13th??? Oh! No bad luck please !!! Don't know when the Neos Contest ends but I hope it's soon because we'll have more of a chance because you'll have less enteries to chose from ????
If we win, don't forget your Lobster costume ??? If you and your staff pick a winner on the 27th-29th of June, we'll be Camping with our Youth from the Church at our 3rd Annual MISSION:POSSIBLE Camping Trip at Myles Standish State Park in Carver/ Plymouth, Massachusetts !!! So, call the Church,and leave a message !! Oh! Wait we'll all be Camping !!! Call the Park, it's in the Phone Book. We're Camping on Fearing's Pond !!!
Take care God Bless You and your staff!!!
We're keeping our fingers Crossed !!!!!

Dear Ellen,
My name is Lizette David and I am a Youth Group Leader at my church. While I was here visiting on some personal business from Florida , I took on the position at my childhood church, as leader of the 7th & 8th grade Jr. Youth Group. In July of last summer, the Youth Ministries of our church started CommonGround Coffeehouse for the youth at our church and in the community. I was in charge of hiring the bands and we had a great summer in New Bedford, Massachusetts with the Coffeehouse. We did have some "road bumps" along the way, though. The Church had some major renovations to our pastor's home,last year and with the price of oil this past winter, the church had to shut down the two halls under the Church from January to April. So we were not able to have the any suppers or have the Coffeehouse at the Church. And because of that we lost people, teens and some staff from the Coffeehouse. With things,the way they are these days and trying to keep these kids and youth off the streets, I'm trying to come up with something that's over the top for these kids. I saw your neos game contest on your show on April 28th . I had started to write sooner but the contest says I needed to send some kind of a photo, so please I'm at one of my staff's house and I'm using his computer ! So I am sending a photo, I hope it is alright with you and your staff? I thought this would bring the youth back to the Coffehouse because all of the other Coffeehouse's are geared towards adults and this one is the only one geared toward kids. And we were told by many people that it wouldn't work. I can't stand it when people say it's not going to work, I want it to work even more. So, I thought that maybe if by any chance you would consider us, you and your staff could also come and present it to our youth at the CommonGround Coffeehouse. July would be a good month because that would be our 1st Anniversary!! Please consider that game for the youth at our church and the youth in our Community. Take care ,God bless you and maybe we'll see you in Church !!! P. S. Bring your Lobster costume, it will fit perfectly and look great in New Bedford, the fishing capital of the WORLD!!!! God Bless, Lizette

Hi Ellen,

It`s no secret that poor nutrition and inactivity are putting today`s youth at risk of developing life-treatening diseases as they age.That`s why I decided to open a fitness and nutrition after school program. Our son is eight years old and 100 pounds. We use to say, when he was five that he`ll out grow this baby fat, but tree years later, that`s far from the truth.

Thank you
Sharon Goforth

My children attend the Idaho Arts Charter School in Nampa, Idaho population 85,000. For the past three years the 541 student body of IACS has made due with the existing playground equipment which consists of wooden structures and chains to create swings etc. I am the PTO President of the school where approx. 50% are on free or reduced lunch program. With the hard work of parent/student involvement last year through cookie dough fundraisers and the like, the PTO recently wrote checks totally $7000.00 to help cover the $33,000.00 needed to provide the kids with updated playground equipment. I was introduced to Neos from the PTO Today website a few months ago. We want to participate in the grant but we are waiting for the new grant info. to come out. After contacting a local dealer, he suggested we contact you to be considered for the Neos give away. Our school building is under construction so your giveaway is perfect timing! We will have an actual playground that can accommodate our needs. The cool thing is that not only will IACS students benefit but the location of our school is located in an older part of Nampa where less fortunate neighborhood children in the community would share in your kindness to pay it forward! I would love to share photo’s of our existing playground and what the kids have used because a picture is worth a 1,000 words but I don’t see that option to include photos. Wouldn’t it be appropriate to give the potato eattin kids a chance to have the Neos…I think you would like the focus of our school - check it out www.idahoartscharter.org We are holding our 2nd annual Idaho Festival of the Arts next year to earn money for a much needed auditorium for performances. Have fun deciding who to give the Neos to…we would make you proud Ellen, just give us a chance!

Patti Neuroth
PTO President
Idaho Arts Charter
Nampa, Idaho