Hello Ellen!
I am not one to usually ask anyone for help, but this year finds me in an unpredictable spot. I adore you and your show and the positive things you do.
First, I just lost my job in advertising, having done that for about 15 years. I am currently substitute teaching, which is where my heart is at....but on $70 per day, no benefits, and after taxes, it's difficult. My husband works as a clammer all year in NJ, so it's cold and very hard demanding work. He wakes at 4 am, leaves and returns home at 4pm. He does not get health benefits.

So, on my birthday, I was worried, as I had been on birth control, but was late. I am pregnant...and we have no insurance, a mortgage payment of over $2000, 2 car payments, as both of us thrifty people held onto our old cars (his was a 1967 and mine had over 150K on it). We are pretty thrifty, live in a 780 sq. ft. home, and I am suppossed to be overjoyed. (we jsut married in Feb. and at age 38, I am lucky to conceive with the health issues I have had- cervical cancer and interstitial cystistis).

However, I just am beyond sad and worried....I am trying to get a job teaching, and at $70 per day, my paycheck is not even covering the health insurance we are going to buy just for me! His pay will cover mortgage and bills....
Very little left over for food.

I am beyond scared for us, and our newborn. I wish I could be overjoyed, but my concern outweighs the happiness factor.

Ellen, I know you get so many requests, and I am one of millions....and I never expect anyone to help me, or us as a couple.

I am writing and swallowing my pride to see if you may have any assistance to share?
I don't expect to hear an answer....but I am praying hard.

I thank you and bless you and Portia and your staff for a Happy and Healthy Holiday season.
You make a beautiful couple.

Warmest regards,
Kristen Mautner

Dear Ellen,

First of all I love your show, my 2 month old Delaney-Rae and I watch your show faithfully. I know you read plenty of requests and I admire your willingness to give. You are truely an angel.
I am a first time single Mom of my baby girl, I now have a new respect for all Mothers. This is by far the hardest thing I have ever done, but the most rewarding. Delaney and I are having a hard time making ends meet and seems I always have but now I have another life to care for, not just myself.
Before I became pregnant I had power bills, phone bills & credit card bills pile up. It seems anytime I tried to get caught up yet another obstacle would arise. I have been fighting to try and get caught back up and start fresh with my new baby, but it seems hopeless. It would be a blessing to be able to start our life fresh and clean. I would forever be in your debt if you could help Delaney and I.

Dear Ellen

I have a problem I NEED YOUR HELP. My mother (Claire Marie)and my sister (Sandy)they was in the united states of America, my mother was in the country for 25 year's and my sister was in the coutry for 17 year's on January 7,2009 they receive a remove letter from immigration so they went to Canada, my sister left her three kid's age's 5,3 and 1 year's old they cry all the time to come back home they miss there daddy and my little brother (junior) had to go with my mother and my sister, he is now 18, year's old he had to leave school and he can not go to school in Canada, so I' am trying to file for my mother and my sister husband is also try to file for her (he is working part time) but the lawyers is asking for 10,000 dollar's for each of them to come back to the united states, i can not do it on my own, i was in school i had to stop going to trying to help my family out and I'm also working, I have two kid's to take care of age's 3 and 1 year's old and a husband who is also a immigrant. My daughter(serenity) is crying for her grandmother and cousin's and She do not understand why she can not see them. and the holiday is coming up they do not have any money to buy gift are food for the kid's to eat. I see how you help a lot of family's in need and I hope YOU can bless my family too. P.S. I LOVE YOUR SHOW AND I' AM LOOKING FORWARD TO WATCH YOU IN AMERICAN IDOL. GOD BLESS YOU XOXOXO..........

Hi Ellen. I love your show and am so happy you are nominated for the peoples choice awards.we need more laughter on tv. I want to tell you how my 60th birthday went.the day before my birthday I got layed off. that nite i got the flu,and my daughter had kept it a secret that two of my sisters from Michigan were coming out to washington to surprise me.Of course dinner plans had to be cancelled.then the next day i went downstaires to find a area of my living room under water,n mold on my walls.Thank God my sisters were here to help me pack everything up in the living rm.then my Daughter got the flu, as soon as she started feeling better one of my sisters came down with it, then the next.So their trip out here was sure not a fun one. So thats how I will never forget turning 60. I should write a book. I'm use my daughters computor because I don't have one. Keep up the Great work you do. Avid Watcher. Patsy

Wow Ellen-I am really sending this. I totally agree with what everyone says about you being a wonderful person. I truly believe that you do change lives. Your show is hilarious and I watch it whenever I can. I have even told everyone at work(Curves) that I sent you a letter about getting my basement fixed. So, on Mondays & Wednesdays we pause our workouts to see your show & who you are helping. The stories are amazing & really make us laugh. Go Doughvember!-Amy Terris
St. Louis, Mo.

Hi Ellen,
I was reading your e-mails and I know there are a lot of people who are having finacial difficulties with the economy and the jobs situation. My heart truly goes out to them, but I will have to say Ellen, I feel sorry for you, because for you to have to decipher through all those depressing e-mails would be a horrific job in itself. You know I don't dwell and wish for things/money I don't have, but try to be thankful for everything and the many blessings I do have! I might not have all the money I need and probably never will, and truely don't expect to but, I still have my health, family and friends. Ellen, thank you for sharing your blessings with so many people, that without your help would not otherwise have been able to experienced.

Hi Ellen, as usual, your show is the highlight of my day. I'm a retired RN, mother of three,grandmother of ten and great-grandmother of 2. I would love to come to california to see your show , I have put it on my bucket list. Rest your back so you can once again LOVE LAUGH AND DANCE.
SHEILA SINDORA
EWING, NEW JERSEY

HI ELLEN, I JUST FINISHED WATCHING YOUR SHOW AS I DO EVERY DAY AT THIS TIME. AS USUALLY IT'S GREAT BUT TODAY WAS SO OVER THE TOP. YOU AND YOUR STAFF ARE SUPER HUMAN BEINGS. WHAT YOU DID FOR THE YOUNG FAMILY IN GEORGIA WAS JUST WONDERFUL. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. I AS WATCHED YOU AND YOUR WIFE THIS MORNING ON THE OPRAH SHOW. IT WAS GREAT HAVING YOU HERE IN CHICAGO EVEN THOUGH IWAS UNABLE TO GET TO THE WATERTOWER TO SEE THE BOTH OF LAST WEEK. THANKS FOR YOUR KINDNESS, MANY BLESSINGS. JOYCE

Hi,Ellen, everyone calls me Stella I WATCH YOUR SHOW ON A DAILY bases with my daughter. I would someday like to come and be on your show. I live in Cleveland, MS and I am trying to get back in the work field. I have three wonderful children and they have all graduated High School my oldest son has graduated JR. college and is working and going back to school, my daughter and youngest son are also going to college. I have a grandson and he is seven and is awesome.You truely make my day when I get up in the mornings I pray then I turn on the television and I get my mornings started with a good laugh. Hope you get my email. Stella

Hi Ellen,love your show so much but I always missed your show if It's not my day off during the weekdays.I would be happy if I could come and see you and be one of your audience but just can't afford to travel from Pensacola,Florida all the way to California.I wish I could.You are such a good person helping to those who are in need.You are blessed and I am glad you are.Hope to see you in person one day.I am your biggest fan.

Amelia Wildes of Pensacola,Florida