I just heard this story on WINK News here in southwest Florida. WOW! Tears I tell you. As you know our economy is really bad everywhere. Here in SW Florida people are loosing their jobs, homes and dignity at an alarming rate. I have not worked in a few years due to health problems but I am fortunate in that I am married to a great guy who has a good job. My son is 21 and getting ready to graduate w his IT degree and has become very discouraged with the job market. My 18 year old daughter has never had a job and has put out at least 150 applications with no luck.

The reason I am telling you all this is because what you have done for Tray has inspired me to take action. I am going to start a not for profit consulting firm to help people who are “down on their luck” so to speak. and I would welcome any advice you could give me.

Your compassion for your fellow man is really exciting and I hope, contagious.

In Liberty,

Christine Crabtree

I was watching CBS evening news and I happened to catch the tail end of it and saw the story on you and Troy McCullough. At first, I was intrigued because I noticed the skyline and realized it was Chicago, which is my home that I am living far away from right now. But I became even more intrigued by the story itself. It amazed me that in a day an age when many people simply walk past the homeless and make many assumptions about them, you chose to invite this gentleman into your car and extend yourself to find out his story. I find that extremely commendable. My husband and myself will be making a donation and I have already forwarded the website to every one of my contacts.

I noticed that on the news program you stated that a goal of yours was to maybe expand and help 10 more “Troys” a year. I just wanted to extend myself and let you know that although I am off in Seattle, if there is anything I can do to assist, please let me know.

Take care,

Alexis Foster

I thought that maybe you would know how I could help someone here. I would like to reach out and help someone here in the bay area of California. I live in Oakley, which is near Antioch, Walnut Creek and Concord.

Thank you for reading my letter. God bless you.

Cherie Erkson

Hey there - totally so inspired when I saw your story about Troy on the nightly news tonight - was MEANT to be (how can you not so love moments like that???) as I had just walked in from a chilly beach walk … and flipped on the TV.

AWESOME.  I love what you ‘did’ and I love it made the news and will only hopefully inspire others … if we’d all do a bit more of that this world would be so different.  After a recent trip myself where I visited a refugee camp overseas I so see first hand even more so how much we as Americans are super blessed with … and how if we all reach out - from our very neighborhoods to other countries … how different this world can be - one person, one kindness at a time.  That you looked, noticed, didn’t turn away & go on about your busy day … and took the time to genuinely meet his needs (from your warm car … to ’stealing’ the fruit (uh, you so have my permission to change that verbiage :)  that sounds quite naughty … let’s say you SHARED some fruit & water with him - I hope no one would consider that truly … stealing to engaging your friend Kevin to talk w/him and see about his sincerity (as sadly, that is sometimes an issue as I have found in reaching out to those in seemingly sad situations … oh ho ho ho thank goodness for discernment…to launching that website savetroy.com  … and meeting collectively, his needs to give him a helping hand - and don’t we ALL need that now and then…. uh huh

Anyway, I just wanted to say … “You Go Guy” (and the cool part is you so didn’t seem at all one seeking glory for helping - which makes it all the better … a humble heart is one to be admired ) … that’s so awesome … thanks for sharing your story … very very cool!    My prayer that Troy is encouraged, on his feet soon and that your story too, gets on to others … to inspire and that more lives are changed!

Kerri

I live in Melbourne Australia, and have just seen a story about you and Troy on the news. I am so moved by what you have done, and felt that I had to write to say thank you. For a while now I have been saying to my friends and work mates that the most important thing we can do as people is SEE others, be KIND to others and be GRATEFUL for our own fortune and success. This is not just about money, but assisting people to have dignity and respect. The election of your new president, and seeing your story on the news tonight has renewed my belief that we are all inherently good at heart. I am 36, white, female, single and very lucky to have good health, great friends, a successful career and a nice place to live. I wear nice clothes, go out for dinner and drive a car. However, I am acutely aware that we are all only one stroke of bad luck away from the very opposite of all this fortune. That is why people like you are the true heroes of our modern society.

I believe that the best measure of success is how much you can give to others. By this measure, you are a millionaire. It is not just that you selflessly are helping someone who has ‘fallen through the cracks’, but that by it being publicised around the world, you have highlighted that we are all the same; homeful or homeless, old and young, men and women, and that we all just want to be seen and respected.

I am having a Christmas party at a bar in a few weeks, and have asked that everyone bring a can of food and donate some money to assist our local Crisis Centre (supporting homeless and desperate people). While my aim was primarily to raise money and give food, it is also equally as important to get people thinking about those who cannot get by. To see them as people like us, who have just had some things go wrong. If it is OK, I would like to use your story an an example of how we can pull together.

Thank you again, and pls pass on my best wishes and most sincere support to Troy.

Fiona O’Leary

I read your story and was truly touched by your kindness and ability to empathize with someone obviously outside your “circle”. Very, very few people look at the world beyond what their eyes see put themselves in another’s shoes and actively reach out the way you did to help someone in need of a helping hand, or simply a break in life. The $200 would have been just that, a break. But what you followed through with will change Troy’s life and others. You sir, started the momentum and many others are touched by the story to follow your example and it is truly inspiring. May you have success in all your endeavors.

Tawni Swearingen

After a long day at work, I just saw yours and Troy’s story on Channel 5 news today… I immediately went to your web page and read all about the wonderful things you have done for Troy’s life.
I am 27 year old Special Needs Kindergarten teacher in the NW suburbs. In my field, we are always reminded and praised for the importance of our positions and the way a teacher can affect a child’s life for an eternity. As I am familiar with the stereotypes a businessman is sometimes linked to, I’m sure that you do not receive such comments or praise about your profession, but I would like to say (as I’m sure many have already) that your generosity and compassion for someone you didn’t even know is really amazing. You are really a kind person and have an enormous heart.

Sincerely,
Carla

The story I read in the Sun Times, and the follow-up on the website

concerning Troy, moved me to write this short note.

I have always told my wife and taught my children that all of us are only

a few moves from being destitute/homeless at any time, so

exhibit compassion to those less fortunate.

Our lives are now in a tailspin due to unemployment, but as we take on

the struggle, it is comforting to know that there are people out there

who embody the principles we teach our children.

May God bless you and your family not only for what you have done,

but for what you stand for .

Thank you,

Tom

My name is John. I wanted to express my sincere thankfullness for people such as yourself. You demonstrated the utmost compassion for Troy. I am amazed, and yes almost cried when I read the story of Troy. I realize that we do not know each other, but this story touched me heart and I felt that writing this email was important. So many people in today’s world only think of themselves, and not anyone else. People from my viewpoint only seem interested in what they can get for themselves, and not what they can do for others. Helping this man get back on his feet, is one of those rare things you read about, especially coming from just one individual.

I myself was never homeless, but I do work a dead end entry level front desk job overnight. Or the graveyard shift as people call it. A boring job, but a gig that pays the bills for my wife and myself. I understand that a bad break could make anyone lose control of their life, whatever income that person makes. Life is a struggle for many, but education is the key. I myself did not finish college, as maybe I should have. But I am full of optimism and never give up. I always think toward the future, and what I can become. I am full of hope. I try to have compassion for all people around me, and try to put other people first. I am unable to donate to Troy’s fund, because I myself really do not have the extra funds to donate. But I will pray for Troy and his future, because I realize we are all one bad break from becoming homeless, and i have experienced this feeling of being homeless many times. I hope one day to start a business in the future, and travel the world and this is what keeps me going everyday.

So Pete, I want thank you again, for your helping this man get back on his feet. Your story of Troy really inspired me, about other people, as well as made me reflect on my own life, goals and aspirations.

Thank you, and may God Bless Troy and well as yourself.

Sincerely,

John