To keep this email brief:

Check out www.coreyposgay.com (am I cool now? Unfortunately douchebag.com was taken) for the YouTube video. That video was shown to KVBC – our local NBC news channel and they came with us to visit a family on Christmas Eve. It’s truly amazing what can happen in less than two weeks. Even though I looked awful and sounded like an idiot, the story worked (despite the fact that they mispronounced and misspelled my name, at least they didn’t show my bald spot!) My goal on the television appearance was to receive more donations to further assist families. Thanks to you, so far we have raised over $2,300! That night I even received a payment from England!

Thank you everyone for your contributions. If you verbally committed but have not had the time to send in money, I made it very easy. On my home page, simply hit “Donate” button using any credit card, you do not need to be a PayPal member. The BofA account was hard to track as to whom donated in that account. If you did pay to the BofA account, please let me know so I can check off your name.

I will update the website this week with pictures of the families that you have directly helped. Don’t worry, it’s not too late to donate! This project will be over in a few days and we still need to finish assisting two families. Every little bit helps. I wanted to make sure that your donations were used for a worthy cause, which was sometimes a difficult task. For the most part, we used the money to empower the families for them to make money and to not just give them a “gift”. Sometimes a gift did not involve any money. While other times, it was used to strengthen a family bond. It’s amazing to help complete strangers, hearing their stories and knowing that we made a real difference in their lives. I am grateful for your trust in us, to use your donation the best way we saw fit.

I recently read this great quote that seems fitting: “Be the change you wish to see in the world” – Mahatma Ghandi.

“I don’t remember what I received as Christmas present two years ago, but this was a Christmas that I will never forget” – Corey Posgay

May your 2009 be your best year to date! Now, I need to go find a job.

Your friends,
Corey & Lynda

Ad: Happy Holidays! How Can I Help You? Don’t Be Afraid To Ask! Call Corey

That was my ad that I placed Sunday, in the Review Journal.

As some of you may know, I am not currently “employed” by somebody else.  With this “time off” I wanted to pursue things that I enjoy to do, so I decided to help others.  As much as I loved to raise and give money to charities I never really knew how it was used.  Since we’ve been hearing so much negative stuff on the news (CNN = Constant Negative News) I sought to take a different approach. I wanted to think positive and say to myself, “I am so thankful now that…”

Here was my idea.  I placed an ad last Sunday and all I can say…be careful for what you wish for!  Boy, did I get a response. I won’t go into the details of the families that I spoke to, but here are a summary of their hardships:  some have lost their job, then with no money they lost their place to live, and with no money they could not afford to keep or fix their car.  With no car, it’s very difficult to get a job.  As a single parent how can you afford a babysitter? As you can see, many of them are in a vicious cycle.  For example, a family of six could not afford their electricity so they have no heat other than from the fireplace.  They can’t take a shower, so they must walk a mile or get a ride to their cousin’s house to take a shower.  The parents had to pawn off the children’s toys in order to eat.  The high today in Vegas was 40 degrees. Brrr.. Imagine not having heat or a refrigerator for food.

Yes, we can help them with money donations but Lynda and I felt that would just be a “band-aid”.  We want to empower these people, which coincidently is what they want as well.  They are not looking for a handout or charity but they do need a gentle push or at least a helping hand.  I’m just starting a “grass roots effort charity”.

I’m asking for your help.  I would always use the excuse that I don’t have time or money to help.  I do believe in the age old saying, “it is better to give than to receive”.  At a time where it’s difficult for many of us to give, to me that’s EXACTLY when we should give, wouldn’t you agree? It’s easy to give when we are a millionaire but I’ve witnessed that even homeless people still give.

I know I can’t help “save the world” and that is not my goal or intention.  (For example, I received a call today from a lady in Missouri that said she heard about me and was wondering if I can help her! I live in Las Vegas, how the heck did she hear about me and she lives in a different state?)  All I’m asking is to make a small difference this year to a family that might be “less fortunate” than us. I was taught that “fortune” does not mean “rich”.  They are all fortunate for what they have and know that many families have it worse than them.  They still need some assistance.  If you were on a sinking ship, but you were safe, would you try to just save one person and call it a day, or would you try to save as many as you could?

I know what you’re thinking and I thought exactly the same way:  Why can’t they do it?  How do I know they’re not on drugs/alcohol, etc?  I’ve already helped other families/donations this year, I’m tapped out of time and money.  I don’t know anybody who can help them, so I won’t even try.  The biggest challenge I was telling myself was: If I help them once, are they going to come back and ask for more (It’s like that relative you just can’t get rid of)? How many of these questions crossed your mind?  Well I personally spoke and met everyone that I want to help.  Since I’ve been a recruiter for over 10 years, I am pretty good to judge most people and their intentions in a short time.  I only want to help the “good ones”.  I’m living in the moment and believing the good in people and if their intentions are different I won’t help them, it’s that simple.

One of my mentors, James Ray from “The Secret”, asks a simple question: “When Would Now Be A Good Time To Start”?  I’m sure you’ve watched Oprah’s “Big Give” or the movie “Pay It Forward” (and I still cry every time I watch it). Our world works under three basic rules: Thoughts become feelings, feelings provokes action.  We need to take action. At one point in our lives, we all needed help.  I don’t like to ask for help unless I know I really need it.  It’s not about resources, it’s about being resourceful.  Today, I need your resources, ideas, contacts, connections to donate time or assistance; no matter how big or small.  I’m not afraid to go on TV or do a crazy stunt to make it happen.  Who do you know? Think hard, we all know somebody…While I was in the Marine Corps and serving for Toys for Tots, giving a gift to child who expected nothing, and seeing their smile is one of the best feelings ever.  I’m doing this to meet families and personally know that we can make a difference.

With your help, we have raised over $500 in over 24 hours!  I’m close to finalizing on buying a car for one family (it’s hard to find a decent car for $500). 

I have spoken to over 40 families in the last three days, and have narrowed down my assistance to about ten families. That means each family would receive $50.  Even if I matched that contribution I know we can help more.  I would love for you to speak to these families so you can really understand some of their challenges.  I don’t cry much, but that has changed in the past three days. When you see where they live and when you hear their stories, you will be touched, saddened, delighted to help, realize that we are “blessed”.

I decided to give my entire 2008 commission from what I made at the Las Vegas Athletic Clubs to help out those in need.  Keep in mind, I am unemployed! Remember, I’m the cheap ass that takes a shower at the gym when I have to shave my body to save on water and gas bill.  I’m the guy that goes to the dollar store and asks, “How much is this?” I drink when it’s happy hour and I eat at Taco Bell because I can afford the soft tacos.  So if I’m donating my time and money, can you please help me?

I would like to thank Chrissy & Shane, Mike G., Frits, Ruth, Alexis, David & Estee, Alora, Soheyla, Julie, Stef & Ash, and Chuck for you generous contributions. Around ten people have donated and already received $500.  Imagine if 50 people donated, what we can do.

This is a “grass roots” charity and I only have time to count on you.  I wanted to meet families and hear their stories.  If you can help and meet just one family, it will change your life in some way.  Robert Kiyosaki wrote in his bestselling book, “Rich Dad, Poor Dad”: “My poor dad would donate to charity if there was any money left over, which was hardly ever.  My rich dad donated first no matter what his bills were like. The more you sow, so shall you reap.” I ask for nothing in return from these “strangers” when a smile and a bit of hope are priceless.  (I know it sounds corny, deal with it). Tomorrow I’m dropping off Christmas trees to two families and you should have seen how excited just to get a tree.  I listened to a man speak for over an hour and he felt so relieved just to talk to somebody about his problems.  When was the last time you just listened to somebody speak for an hour? (Don’t get any ideas Lynda).  

Wow! In less than a week I’ve received over $1,000 in cash donations!

Something strange has happened to me. I was watching “A Very Brady Christmas” a few days ago and I got a little choked up at the end of the movie. I got choked up on a Brady Bunch movie. Ugh, I’m such a sap.

With this money, I am able to purchase two cars (that work) to get the families to a job. You’ve also opened up and offered to pay for their gas bill, clothing, cooking, spa day, baby sitting, job, education to pass a GED if required (I should probably get that education for me). It’s so awesome to receive donations from my friends and especially from your friends. It’s strange, but one of the things that I’ve noticed is that my friends that those who really couldn’t spare money, gave the most. For that, I will always be appreciative.

My goal for these last few days is to get another $1,000 in donations, so that it will really make a difference to these ten families. You should have seen the smiles that we received when we dropped off a Christmas tree to two houses. The trees were only $25, and it meant so much to the families and children to have a Christmas tree for the holidays. I’ve received over 50 phone calls (from one 1”x1” ad that I still can’t find), and I simply won’t be able to help out everyone (at least financially). Even if you helped out another charity, family member or friend, is it possible to find in your heart one more person that you can rally around? If you can’t, I understand…if you can, I am grateful. (I’m still looking for help in Missouri!)

If anybody wants to join Lynda and I when we see these families to drop off gifts, food or clothing, please let me know. (With their approval, I will take their picture and tell you exactly how your contributions helped). I’m still working with a few friends to see if this story can make the news so that I can accept more donations to assist some of the other families. I’ll keep you posted!

Thank you Steve C., Steve P., Simin, Ana, Sandra, Mark C., Adele, Tony M., Jack P., Nancy H., Jeremy H., Ariel, Bria, Randi, Paula, Tony P., and Chuck M., for your donations (either money, time, food, clothing, etc.).