You a wonderful and giving person and you do wonderful things for people in need! Right now it is hard for alot of people. I have been trying so hard to keep it together for my family because it is the holiday season. My grandparents have been together tomorrow for 59 years and my grandfather just went through his fourth surgery for his heart DAY before yesterday! They are like my parents and they mean the world to me! No one will help them and they are on a fixed income and they had a beautiful home that they just couldn't keep up with anymore and it was almost paid for. It hurts so bad to know they hardly have money for anything and have to pay rent now! They are loved by so many people and my grandfather has been a pastor for 50+ years! No one can help because we all struggle are selves! They will give and give and they don't have it to give! You just help so many people and I think the world of people like you for all that you do! Thank you and keep being the person that you are! Sincerly,
MARIA C.

Hi Ellen & Staff members love the show. I love what U have done 4 Lot of people in need. U R A GODSEND & I hope you enjoy being THE NEW JUDGE on American Idle have fun & whats gonna happen with the show Cause I would't want them 2 work the H- -ll out of you Good luck with everything thats going on in your life & MERRY CHRISTMAS & A JOYOUS NEW YEAR 2 U & U R Family Staff to . Carolyn

Hi Ellen, my name is Brianna and i really need your help. My Mom has Been Struggling Alot latley and now its gotten to the point where she really doesnt know what to do. My mom is a single mother trying to do a million and one things while being diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis. She is permantely on disability, but her whole check mostly goes to bills and the most we have for food is $100 which now a days how expensive things are doesnt get us alot and that has to last us for a month. My mom doesnt even have money to buy herself clothes which is really sad, I lost my dad when i was 5 yrs old and i have been getting social security, i've had some money saved up for college but i've given it all up to help my mom and i give my mom as much money as i have to her, to help her and the extra money i have i give to her to buy clothes. But i also have to save money for myself to fulfill my dream in singing, I'm in choir at El Rancho High School in Pico Rivera, CA. Ever Since I was a little girl i've always wanted to be in choir so when i got to high school i wanted to try-out to be in choir and i made it, i was so happy that day i started crying and called my mom in a heart beat to tell her the good news. Just Recently my moms car has been giving her alot of trouble, there's something wrong with it but we cant even go to a mechanic to find out whats wrong with it because we dont even have the money to pay the mechanic to even check the car. So any time now the car is gonna break down on us but all were hoping for is its not anytime soon. Ellen, It comes to days where my mom is very depressed and constantly crying because she doesnt know what to do and or because she's behind in bills and doesnt know how shes suppose to get the money for that. I really dont know how to help my mom other then being there for her and telling her everything will be okay. But it just really hurts me to see my mom like this. But what i'm askin you for is Ellen, can you please help me well help my mom in anyway you can please.

ps. i love your show! Me and my mom watch it everyday, It's absolutly the best! Me and my mom always wanted to go on your show but never been able to get tickets.

Hi Ellen,

I love your show, you are such a generous person. I wish there were more people like you in this world. Thank you for all the kindness, laughter, and dancing you share. I try to watch your show everyday. I do have a 4 year old son. He does dance along with you. He is my little rock star. I would be great if I could record your show somehow. Then I could watch it when he is sleeping with no interuptions. Maybe santa will bring me some thing.

Next year my husband Chris, son Trent and I are planning a trip to California. So I was hopping that we would be able to come see your show. I just don't know how we are going to be able to aford that trip. My husband's sister is having a baby in Marisville, Ca. My Grandparents are sick and have never met my husband or son. If we end up taking the trip I would love to see your show.

Anyway, the real reason I am typing this is because of my neighbor. Her name is Mary, she is the sweetest lady. We have been neighbors for about a year now. My husband, Father-in-law and I always help her around her house. She has a daughter Angie, who is due within the next few days. So Angie has to dive Mary's van. Angie has to drive her husband to work and her other two kids to there school activities. So Mary is left without her van. I help her when I can, but it is hard because we only have one car, and my husband need that for work. They can't aford to buy a car because of Angie not working, with a baby on the way. So maybe you could help them have their Christmas.

Thank you.
God Bless you because he put you here, so you could spread your laughter and joy.

Amy Ribitzki, Cape Coral, FL.

hello elllen how r u doing 2 day.looking for some help from u for my handicap husband and myself if possible. my husband had a stroke almost 2 years now. the doorway has 2 be open for his wheelchair 2 get in and out.asking the state that we live in 2 help us but every company is out of money. r he is not a senior but handicap. our youngest child is our transportation if he has 2 work we have no way for the doctor's or the store.every1 r in hard times maybe god has u on this earth to help in someway. PLEASE think about this. cynthia from ur home state of louisiana.

HI ELLEN
YOUR THE THING THAT HAPPENED TO DAY TIME TV.
I WATCH YOU EVERY DAY, YOU MAKE US LAUGH. CHRIS & I ENJOY WATCHING YOU EVERY DAY. MY TV CHANNEL IS SET YOUR SHOW. I LOST MY JOB & I'VE BEEN ON UNEMPOYEED FOR ALMOST 6 MONTHS. I'VE LOOKED EVERY WHERE FOR A JOB NOTHING

ELLEN

I LOVE YOU AND YOUR SHOW. YOU HAVE SUCH A KIND SPIRIT.

ALTHOUGH I HAVE NO TRANSPORTATION, SUFFER FROM NON HODGSKINS LYMPHOMA AND BREAST CANCER, I HAVE A LOT TO BE THANKFUL FOR THIS THANKSGIVING.

I AM MOST GRATEFUL FOR MY DOGS. THEY LOVE ME UNCONDITIONALLY AND HAVE TAKEN WONDERFUL CARE OF ME DURING CHEMOTHERAPY, RADIATION AND FIND A WAY TO MAKE ME SMILE AND LAUGH DURING THE MOST LOWEST OF TIMES. (KIND OF LIKE YOUR SHOW). MY DOGS DESERVE THE VERY BEST. BECAUSE OF FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES I MAY HAVE TO CUT DOWN ON THEIR TREATS AND QUALITY OF DOG FOOD. BECAUSE THEY DESERVE THE BEST, I AM ASKING IF YOU COULD SUPPLY ME WITH SOME OF YOUR HALLO DOG FOOD. BECAUSE THIS DOG FOOD IS BY YOU, I AM SURE IT IS THE BEST OF THE BEST. IT WOULD HELP ME TREMENDOUSLY ....
THANK YOU

HAPPY THANKSGIVING
VICKI

Ellen I think you are WONDERFULL. Your make people smile when they want to cry you make them laugh and forget three problems for a little while. If you have never seen a rainbow look into the mirror you are the face of hope. I have loved you for years I watched your specials when ever they were on and now you are here for me every day. THANK YOU!

I raised 4 children on my own untill 25 years ago I met a wonderful man who married me and has loved me without reservation. My husband had polio when he was a baby and because they couldn't afford the Sister Kennny program (which today is physical theropy) his mother had his knee removed so the leg was stiff and he could stand. If someone would like to sit with their leg raised up in the air for an hour they might be able to imagine life with a stiff leg...you can forget a short call on a plane...My husband has never let it slow him down, he held a full time job untill he was 60 when the after effects of polio forced him to retire. Two years ago while trying to replace a facia board on the front of our house he fell..(OH GOD NOT AGAIN) You guessed it, he broke the leg in 3 places the break at the ankle was through and through, this is a leg that has been broken many times and this was like the last straw....For many months we though they would have to amputate the leg..but it healed slowly 10 months, but he still has to wear a brace to protevt his legs the bones are that weak.
I went to work in 2007 at 63 to help us get by, however in late November I had to go out on disability because I couldn't breath due to my lung disease. I now have to use oxygen, I am diabetic and suffer from PAD as well. I have just had breast surgery and for the second time have cancer in my left breast, I am waiting to see what type of treatment I will have to have.

My husband and I came to see you several years ago I was so excited....but alas the group in front of me was the cut off.....I cried all the way back to my step son's house....OH! we also share the same birhtday.
Due to our medical problems it is impossable for us to go anywhere without out electric scooters, but my poor husband has such a hard time loading the two monsters onto a van with the manual ramp he has to use.....I would give anything to be on your show during the holidays and maybe meet you face to face. Our growing medical bills will prevent us from making that trip in the near future and I don't know how long we will be able to travel that far.
God Bless you and I hope you have a wonderful holiday season you are a dream come true.

Janet Somma
Florida

Dear Ellen,

I just want to say I have watched you faithfully and want you to know that YOU and your show are usually my only outlet for laughter every single day. And I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart.
I read some of the stories people post and it breaks my heart. How you read them every day I don't know. Everybody always tells me I will never be rich because even if I won the biggest lotto ever I would end up giving it away helping people.
I have my own sad story. Not like some, but still in great need. I have to move. My landlord and his family are selling their house and moving here. And in this small town in Mississippi, there is nothing for rent. Lots for sale, but with my credit problems in the last year I would be laughed at if I tried to buy anything, even a camper, to live in. Even if I find something, how I'm gonna afford to move I don't know.
I am a 52-yr old female who is working hard every day that my health, and the weather, allows. I drive a log truck, which is hard for even a healthy woman. Trimming and strapping down my loads, the drive, unstrapping to unload...sometimes it's all I can do to walk when I get to the woods or the mill. I have serious back problems, osteoporosis, and arthritis. High blood pressure. And no health insurance. I have contacted Vocational Rehabilitation to see if they will help me get tests on my back, and surgery if needed.
And here are the holidays. I'm not asking for alot. No new car, nothing huge like that. But I am asking that if you can help in any way I would appreciate it. I enter every giveaway you have, hoping I can win something that my family would be happy with for Christmas. I really don't see any way to have Christmas around here this year, and it breaks my heart. The way it's looking I may not even have a home Christmas, much less a way to cook a meal, as there is no money for splurging on food for anyone these days. I can't even afford all the medicine I'm supposed to be taking.
Even if you can't help, I hope you continue to do what you do for those in need. I hope you have continued success in your life. I hope you and Portia and your momma have the most wonderful holidays ever! I hope you never disappear, because you and your show are the one bright spot in my day. Thank you for all you do.

Sincerely,
Wanda Jordan

Dear Ellen,
decided to open up your email today and see what I've been missing (the t.v. broke so no more Ellen)! :)

Like so many of your other letters life here is a daily struggle too, (heck- I am sitting in the dark right now since power was shut off, still working on how to fix that one) but please keep reading there is something very important I want to do for one of your letter writers... (after I vent of course :)

My husband has been fishing out in the Bering Sea for the last six months-18 hr days, 25 foot waves, freezing cold- just like the show only soooo much worse because as a long liner fisherman they stay out in the elements 35-45 days per trip. And unlike the show the company he is with has been paying him less than minimum wage, no overtime, and making us wait almost two months between paychecks!(in a nutshell we are trying to survive on $1,000 per month with our rent being $865 alone...don't need to be a math wizard to figure out that-that doesn't work)
I have chronic pancreatitis (no it wasn't from drinking :) so I am unable to work....

Several months ago I let one of my kids' friends drive them in my car to the store to get .25 sodas-but instead he took it for a joy ride and went over an embankment with my kids, with the top down! (everyone was o.k. thank goodness, but yes, as you could guess it my car was totalled).

I have been living on ambesol and ice packs as I have not one but two abscessed teeth right now, and over these last few months have swallowed my pride so many times I almost choked on the last one.

I used to think bad things came in threes, but have come to the conclusion that it's actually
much higher than that, it's just divisible by 3. Either that or I am Job's daughter!

I have so many great ideas on programs to start that could help so many people with a "hand up" not a "hand out", but unfortunately do not have the funding to get it started. (I am working on applying for some grants, but WOW is that a whole other pile of Muck to get through)

So....As I ramble on I think you can figure that I have nothing left monetarily or otherwise to give any of these people-heck if it was worth anything I have already sold or pawned it for food or rent. But what I do have is an older not so pretty laptop for the young 12 year old boy named Wilie Robinson. He wrote you November 19th at 4:09 a.m. (hey what is he doing up so late/or early)

AND to those of you who write in complaining or down right b@#$%ing, SHAME ON YOU! I know it's hard, I'm living it! I cry your same tears....but writing and complaining to Ellen or any other person out there trying to make a difference is not the answer- ENOUGH!

There is no conspiracy, there is no special selection for ratings, those that got a little help just happened to be the one that day! And sure maybe they were not the most needy-I could not imaging how hard it must be to read all the letters to find just one. Maybe they just pulled one from the pile like a lotto because making any other selective choice was too hard! Maybe next time it will be you!!!

And in closing to all of you out there going through these hard times- Somehow, some way every day you NEED to find one thing to be thankful for! You need to find a way to give a little to help someone else! Because sitting in a dark corner (unless your power is off :) and giving up is a very dangerous place to be. It will fester, and fill you up with hate and discontent, It will destroy you!

So Remember: Live for today because yesterday is gone, and tomorrow may never come!

Thank you Ellen for doing "something" to help us remember that we should never ever give up hope!

Sincerely,
Tracy Cook

p.s. maybe we should start a 'pay it forward' campaign and get it going nation wide - YOU MY DEAR ELLEN HAVE THAT POWER! LOL