Quote From: cmnbakI read often and post never but I couldn't let this one go!
First and foremost, I send a special thanks for helping others, especially children any and every way you can! Toys for Tots is an excellent program and I applaud any who participate and contribute!
On, the Christmas note from the woman with a 5 year old! It is VERY SAD that you have that attitude and though I am not sure what took you to that point, I think several things could make it better........... First and foremost remembering the true meaning of Christ - mas may lighten the load or burden, second the fact that your child is five must keep you somewhat spirited, third, it doesn't take much money to make a 5 year old happy. 5.00 at the Dollar Tree would buy 5 things you chose from love and bought with sacrifice.
As far as the give aways to the audience, I think that is pretty cool but often my thought is if they can afford to get to the Dr. Phil or another show like it, they can probably afford the give away gifts anyway. Not to take away from the generosity, that is nice!
Third, for us Christmas has been an evolution -- my mom always had such big Christmas' that we always had high expectations and demands really. Now that we are married and off on our own with kids, she has had to slow way down and more importantly we will never come close! We focus on the FAMILY and the TRUE meaning of CHRISTMAS, there are 9 of us in the house and extended family close and we just cannot do what we dream or imagine........... So, we get what is needed for us (21-'21-19-1'-16-16-5-48-37) and maybe a want if able and call it GOOD! My husband saves 40 hours of vacation to cash in on the 15th and whatever that check is is what we have to spend on the 9 of us and about 15 others with grandparents, etc.... and when its gone - ITS GONE! The check is usually around 500.00!!!!!!!!!!!! I shop cheap (10.00 jeans, etc..)
We're happy and not broke or in debt, the kids are happy, the true meaning is the most important,, and though we'd love to be able to do more - IT WORKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for listening!
Dena
Norman, OK
"As far as the give aways to the audience, I think that is pretty cool but often my thought is if they can afford to get to the Dr. Phil or another show like it, they can probably afford the give away gifts anyway. Not to take away from the generosity, that is nice!"
I just wanted to reply to this portion of the letter. I was a lucky participant in the 2003 Christmas Give Away show, and I just wanted to let you know that the Dr.Phil Show is free of charge. There is no admittance fee. If you look hard enough, parking is free. The only thing I had to pay for was a 1/4 tank of gas ($7.35) for the 70 mile round trip between Hollywood and Long Beach. I took a vacation day off to go to the show, so that I wouldn't lose out on a day's pay.
2003 was a perfect year for me to be at the show. My family was in a long stretch of unemployment & escalating bills. We were 2 weeks away from losing our apartment. After much prayer, my church came through with the rent money, my coworkers gave us a complete Christmas dinner & let us borrow the company's artificial Christmas tree and gave us a gift of cash totaling $600.00. And the Dr.Phil Show provided my family with some much needed Christmas relief as well. There's no way I could afford any of the gifts that we received from the Dr.Phil Show.
Now, 3 years later, we are all gainfully employed. We still have the apartment, and going without food is no longer an option. We aren't financially rich by any stretch of the imagination, but we have learned how to budget our finances better. I save tons of money by coupon shopping on a regular basis. Our entertainment expenses consist of going to more free Dr.Phil tapings (31 so far). We also borrow DVD's from our friends. The ones we like, we wait until the price has been reduced before buying them. I've taken up crocheting at my church, which provides 2 kinds of satisfaction: I love crocheting, but living in California I don't need such warm garments. So everything I make is donated to our missionaries, who deliver the garments to poor people along the way. My grown sons & I take turns cooking dinner. When we get paid any overtime, we'll treat ourselves to dinner out at a cozy little Japanese place near the office.
This year we aren't having a Christmas tree, but not because we can't afford one. We've just been too busy to buy one. I bought my older son, Jason 23, a "Die Hard" 3 DVD Collectors Edition and a bag of Peanut M & M's, his favorite candy, for Christmas. My other son, James 21, is harder to shop for. But I did buy him a bag of Hershey's Milk Chocolate Kisses, his favorite candy (and mine). Jason bought me "The Polar Express" on DVD, but we couldn't wait until Christmas to watch it.
Hopefully I've changed your view on the type of people who go to the Dr.Phil Show. We're just regular folk, like you. Some people golf, go bowling, play tennis, whatever. I go to the Dr.Phil Show. Most of the time I learn things that I never knew before. I interact differently with the people around me now. I'm a much happier person. I always leave the show smiling, because it's always entertaining. I hope you get the chance to go to one of his tapings someday. You'll have a blast.
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!!!
Dr. Phil and Robin invite you to celebrate the holidays with their family - Jay, Erica, Jordan and even Dr. Phil’s mom! As National Spokespersons for Toys for Tots, Dr. Phil and Robin are making dreams comes true for deserving families who fill the audience. The performers from Dancing with the Stars Tour have tangoed, waltzed and salsa danced into millions of viewers’ homes. They help Dr. Phil and Robin spread a little holiday cheer. Then, Vanessa Williams, who plays the mean boss on the new hit show Ugly Betty, brings a surprise guest. Plus, Jay and his new wife, Erica, share some of their favorite things, the cast of How I Met Your Mother drops by, and a celebrity performance you won’t want to miss! Get the scoop on the hottest games and electronics for your family’s holiday list! Talk about the show here.
