If you have been reading my blog for some time you know the person I am going to talk about. Some of you know her by "Ugly Shoe Pam". Others know her by the comments she makes under the title "The Friend".
Pam has been my best friend since we were 9 years old. She is one of the most unselfish, caring people I have ever known.
And she is in turmoil right now.
I hope she doesn't get mad at me for sharing this with you, but I need your help.
She is beyond broke right now. And she needs us.
Pam does not make a lot of money. She has two kids and is a single mom. The fact she has lasted this long is amazing to me.
She is the most frugal person I have ever known. But sometimes that just isn't enough.
She has had to survive on her credit cards the last couple years.
Right now, I would call it dire straits. Any of you who have been in the situation can understand.
Your electricity is about to be shut off. Your water is going to be stopped if you don't make a payment in 3 days. All your cards are maxed out. You have $6 in your bank account. You have nothing.
It took everything for Pam to call me last night. And I can hear the fear in her voice. She is a proud woman and not counting on anyone else has always been so important to her. To be able to make it on her own.
But right now she can't.
She is on a ledge with only one foot on it and that is where you come in.
I am taking a leap of faith and praying that God and anyone who reads this blog will hear.
I set up a Paypal link to the right to try to help her. If you have ever, in any way, ever had a time where you didn't have enough to make ends meet.....didn't have any food but made sure your kids were fed, while you went hungry......you would understand. Or maybe you have always had enough, but feel for someone who doesn't have that blessing.
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE FIND IT IN YOUR HEART TO HELP HER.
Anything that you can do would make a difference. Even if you don't have anything, but sent a comment of support for her....at least she would know she isn't alone and can survive this. Every payment you send, I will match and forward to her.
I have done everything in my ability to help her, but I can't do this alone. I NEED YOU.
Please click on the link to the right and help. I really feel it will save a life. The fact that she will know that she is not alone and that people, even strangers are there that care is proof there is still good trusting people in the world.
This is such a hard post to do, but I don't care. Pam, please don't be mad at me.....but I love you and the people who read this blog are incredible. I want you to see the power of friends.
I love you so much. It's going to be OK.
Thanks so much for listening. I love you guys.
OH, and to my family who reads this. YES, my birthday is tomorrow. I don't want any gifts this year. Just donate to her and my birthday wish will come true.
Update: I have never been more moved by the actions of you all. For all the people that I have the addresses for, I will be sending you each a special thank you. I could never ask for better friends. Never.
I am going to drive up the money to Pam tomorrow and then send her any other amount that comes in each day as it comes in.
I love you Pam and so many other people do too. You are not alone.
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29 People Love Me Today!:
any friend of yours leigh ann.
i have been there so i kind of know how your friend feels.. a bit.
hope my $20 starts the ball rolling. :-)
Number one, Happy Birthday!
Number two, I am going to post a link to your entry on my blog.
Number three, Right now I don't have much to give, but I can give $5. (I already spent the rest of my allowance) I might be able to give more at the end of the week though.
Clippy Mat: You are incredible!
D'Rae: Thank you so much for that. You have no idea what this will mean to her. Love you!
Good luck Pam. We are all pulling for you and your kids, hoping you get through this time. Leigh Ann, you are a caring person and a good friend.
You are such a selfless and caring friend. I pray that her struggles will ease a bit. These are incredibly scary times.
I hope you have a happy birthday too.
Smilygirl: They SO are! Just have to keep smiling I guess!
Leigh Ann, I linked over from Karyn's site. I will donate. I don't have much but whatever little will help I will gladly do. Been there.
Happy B-day.
Pam, hang in there. My prayers are with you. Don't fight the gift just accept, say thank, and be grateful you have such an awesome friend. On day you can pay it forward. I am today.
Howdy LeighAnn,
Although I've never met Ugly Shoe Pam, I feel like I know her. She was there for your whole get-out-of-debt ride, and I always enjoyed her guest-posts on here.
I have a pantry full of food and my bills are paid, so I'm gonna chip in as deep as I can.
I'm sending $100 right now, and I will send more later in the week if she needs it. I won't get paid until Thursday though.
And to go a step further, I'll donate a subdomain.
www.pam.riverofdebt.com
If you or Pam will email me, I'll send you the login and password for it, assuming she is up to it.
And if so, include an email address, and I will set up the email to foreward to her.
-jag
OK. Now I'm crying.
Hi. I've never read your blog before but saw the link on Fabulously Broke. I have no idea how scared your friend must be, but hope the small donation I was able to give helps in some way.
long time lurker leigh ann and I've been fortunate to have a recent turn around in fortunes for the better, tell Pam to hang in there!
hope my little bit helps :)
Deb: you are proof that there are angels walking in earth.
Jag: I'm going to kick your butt! You better go on IM tonight. Kick your butt!
Fresh Finances: your comment and donation will floor her. You are incredible!
Louise: angels do exist. Bawling. You amaze me.
I got sent over here from Miss Fabulously Broke. From one Ugly to another, hang in there girlfriend. I got $5.38 donated to me which I will donate to Pam - pay it forward, as they say :) XX
As you know Leighann, I'm running a little behind on things.. But first, happy birthday... I think I have to go on my pay pal and figure out my password----but I so fill her pain.. What is even worse is the way I have pissed away money (well credit that I don't have) on a very stupid person when I could have given more to an honest person who would put it too good use.. Money struggles change a person and relationships---I would not wish that on anyone.. I will send what I can before I go back to work Thursday. It may not be much, but every amount will help.. She will be getting a fortune in prays from me..
She is already blessed to have a friend like you....
I'm still sending that email---just hate putting it down in writing. This month can't end fast enough!!!
You were there for me right at the start Leigh Ann and any friend of yours is a friend of mine...
I hope it all works out Pam :)
Ugly Debty: I do the exact same thing. You are wonderful!
Merlot Chic: Prayers will help her. She is super loved! Please email me so I don't worry anymore. Like I told her....it will be OK.
Laura: For you....all I can say is...you amaze me beyond words. Really, you are incredible and strong. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
You all have given me the best birthday anyone could ever hope for. You have changed someone's life. I know she will carry this for the rest of her life. The power of friends is beyond anything else.
WOW.
It isn't much but I know every little bit helps.
You are a good friend.
To Every one... It's me...
I’m speechless. I’m numb. My mouth is dry. I’m in SHOCK!
I am so, so grateful… I haven’t stopped shaking since I found out about Leigh Ann’s post. I am bouncing back and forth with my emotions… I’m crying (happy crying), staring at the wall, goose bumps…. And keep repeating, “oh my god”….
I just can’t believe this is happening… You all are so kind.
I just had to say that…. I will send out a better thank you comment when I can stop crying because It’s hard to type with blurry eyes… I’m amazed at how your comments have moved me…
Hhhhhh, I’m a blubbering fool right now! I will post when I can pull myself together… Each and every one of you has helped me. I’m very thankful…. Awww, geeeze… I just need to cry about how wonderful your generosity is…
-The Friend… and you should see the shoes I’m wearing…they are these icky blue plastic clogs…Ugly shoe Pam is broke and has the shoes to PROVE IT!
Love,
Pam
Hi L.A. and Pam
I have been where you have been Pam and I am praying for you! I don't have much right now but i feel like helping in a any small way that i can!
Shell
i've met my charity budget for this month...but budgets were made to be broken! I want to help, she sounds like an awesome person.
Shell: you made such a difference. She is blown away.
Sense: I adore what you said. I will do the same thing. I just love that.
YOU ALL OVERWHELM ME. YOU HAVE CHANGED A PERSON'S LIFE.
I am breathless.
Each donation is doubled. I told her she will be ok. Me, I'm not so sure now! :-)
I've been there and know what is to be completely broke (and I didn't have kids to look after). Hope I can help just a little.
I stumbled across your post through another blog that I read and I have to say, Leigh Ann, your blog is pretty awesome. It's refreshing to hear someone talk so openly about their financial struggles and eventually overcome them.
As for this post about your friend Pam, it hits really close to home. I was struggling pretty badly at this exact time last year. I remember counting change and selling off pieces of furniture on Craigslist to be able to purchase enough groceries to get by. There were a few times that I remember going without meals to make sure that my cats were fed properly. It was an awful place to be and overwhelmingly depressing; I wouldn't wish it on anyone.
A lot have things have come together for me in the last year and for the first time in a long time, I'm doing ok financially. I may not know her, but I know her struggles so I'm going to kick in $100 and hope like hell that it helps.
Cloggsy: It helps her more than you know!
Elizabeth: Your comment brought tears to my eyes. The difference between me and Pam is that she has had no one to turn to. I have helped out when I can (like getting her car fixed) but she has no family that she can turn to for help. I have been blessed to have, not only my family, but also this blog.
This blog has not only saved me and Pam, but countless other people. I sit in awe of the people I have met here.
One day I am going to organize an event where we all come together somewhere and enjoy each other's company.
One day......
Leigh Ann and Pam, I donated $10.00 from my and cute puppy and my old grouchy cat.
Good Luck Pam, I will think positive thoughts for you.
Here from Jag.
Leigh Ann, you are such an awesome friend. I have wandered in and out of your site over the last little while and am always amazed at your heart. You are good people. And happy birthday.
Pam, I hope things start looking up for you. There are alot of people all over the webs pulling for you.
Dear lovely Save Leigh Ann bloggers and new visitors,
I can't begin to express what your donation means to me and my family. The money is most definitely helpful and will go to my overdue bills and for food, there's no doubt about that. But more than the monetary value, I so greatly appreciate the thought behind your gifts. Financial distress is a burden, depressing, and PLAIN SCARY… but your actions have lightened my worry. For that especially, I thank you.
This time has been difficult for my girls and I, but knowing we have the support of people like you certainly helps. Leigh Ann is truly an amazing person. She and I have been through so much together and have always supported each other. This was mind blowing! I tell you… when I found out that she had done this blog and I started seeing donations coming in… I freaked. I was so overwhelmed by your generosity. I couldn’t stop shaking AND I HAD TO GO INTO A MEETING TO MEET 12 NEW CO WORKERS! They must have thought that I was a shaky, spacey, freako and ONE OF THEIR NEW BOSSES!
I was talking to Leigh Ann on the phone during a meeting break and I don’t think I was present AT ALL… I was pacing, holding my head, and making weird noises in my attempt not to burst out whaling! I was a mess, a beautiful mess, with tasteful shoes.
I can’t thank you enough for taking away my immediate fears and helping me get through this. I know it’s not over but it’s my challenge that I have to overcome. I’m a strong woman and (Leigh Ann was right) am very stubborn when it comes financial help…
I knew I was in trouble a few weeks ago when my car broke down for the second time in one year. Leigh Ann didn’t even blink and offered to pay for the cost of the repair… she had to convince me to accept her offer! LEIGH ANN HAS ALWAYS, ALWAYS, BEEN A GIVING PERSON. Please keep reading her blog and checking in on her. This blog has changed her life and has now changed mine. Please know I won't forget your kind gesture. Thank you again from the bottom of my heart.
-The Friend, Ugly Shoe Pam
Praise God. This is a blessing from Him. And we are so blessed that He uses us to do this for you.
And now, let me be the rude person to say that I'm totally interested in knowing how much has been donated, before the doubling. It is amazing, but that's what miracles are I guess.
In Christ,
Rebekah
I just came across this and I thinkg what has been done is amazing! I know I am a bit late but I couldn't help wanting to help.
one year ago my best friend was in a similar situation. she is a mother to a WONDERFUL baby girl and at the store to purchase more baby formula, her card got denied. she had no money in her account. her husband was currently serving overseas in Iraq, she was on leave from work still and times were tough. the man behind us stepped up and paid for the formula. he was angel that moment in her life. it amazed me. so now to have the chance to do the same for someone else just feels right. we are all in this together - even as strangers we need to stick together and help one another when in need. So best of luck to you and Pam!!! I hope nothing but great things to come for both of you! :)
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