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* From the Illinois Policy Institute…
On Oct. 30, Anthony Goodwin couldn’t stop shaking.
It wasn’t because the gas was shut off in his family’s mobile home, even though that was the case. It wasn’t from frustration with the electric company that was coming to turn off the lights in a few days time.
It was because the Goodwins were watching thousands of dollars in donations roll in on the heels of the publication of their story.
Anthony and Ashley Goodwin, as well as their two children, were stuck between a rock and a hard place that is disturbingly unique to Illinois: a worst-in-the-Midwest jobs climate and budget gridlock due to politicians’ refusal to address the state’s fundamental economic problems.
Thankfully, their GoFundMe page had racked up nearly $5,000 in donations from across the globe in a matter of hours.
“We were astonished, dumbfounded,” Ashley said. “Dumbfounded is the best word to use.”
“I know it might [be a] cliché, but this has totally changed our lives,” Anthony said.
“There are so many more opportunities, and so much less worry. It might not seem like much, but in a low-income community like this it makes a huge difference.”
The money raised ensured the Goodwins can keep their lights on, reinstall their gas, buy groceries for their children, and make rent for at least the next year. One donor who wished to remain anonymous also offered to give the Goodwins a car.
“Special thanks to the car donor,” Anthony said. “I might hug the guy, and I’m not a huggy person.”
In case you missed it, the background is here. Thanks to everyone from this blog who donated. Y’all never cease to amaze me.
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 11:02 am
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Rich, this is a fantastic story thanks for the update and initial call to action for Ashley and her family.
Comment by How Ironic Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 11:05 am
I followed her GoFundMe page closely for about a week after you posted the story. I knew it had raised almost $5,000, but not know about the car. That is so awesome. Best of luck to them.
Comment by Curious Georgina Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 11:08 am
Very heartwarming update. Wishing the best for Ashley and family; she is a smart little chick. I hope she kind find a mentor and keeps discovering and using her talents. She really has a spark!
Comment by cdog Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 11:15 am
We all should keep in mind that Ashley’s family’s struggle is not unique and that the longer the state goes without a budget, the more strain there will be on the state’s most vulnerable.
Comment by slow down Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 11:21 am
I am glad that so many responded to their request. I hope this gets them back on their feet. I don’t know if they recieve other benefits, like SNAP, but with some programs they would have to declare that as income within 10 days. Again, I don’t know their situation but I would hate for them to get an overpayment after all the kindness helped them out. I would suggest that they call their local DHS Family Community Resource Center if they think that this might be an issue. Best of Luck to them.
Comment by Honeybear Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 11:21 am
The people of this state are truly generous helping out people in need. We are great people indeed.
Comment by Levois Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 11:24 am
What is so frustrating about this is that yes, when people hear a story that touches them they can be very generous. But ask them for a tax increase to help the same people — and more — and NO WAY!
I’m glad these people got help, but individual charity does not get it done, not by a long shot.
And then of course there is this: “As Wealthy Give Smaller Share of Income to Charity, Middle Class Digs Deeper” https://philanthropy.com/article/As-Wealthy-Give-Smaller-Share/152481
But you know what can make the wealthy give more? Taxation!
I’m being a Debbie Downer here but it upsets me that this family ever had to resort to a Go Fund Me page.
Comment by Lakefront Liberal Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 11:39 am
It takes a blog…
Comment by Archiesmom Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 11:39 am
Such a heartwarming story! I am so happy for them success and wish them continued success.
Comment by Anon #23 Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 11:41 am
@Lakefront Liberal
=But ask them for a tax increase to help the same people — and more — and NO WAY!=
One HUGE difference between the two, liberal. When you donate, YOU have the power to decide whether the spending has merit, and there are no crooked pols or unions to siphon most of it off before it gets to the truly needy.
Taxes are just taken and the taxpayers have NO control if what they are forced to pay is a worthy cause or just feed the crooks.
I personally would like to see a substantial portion of personal and income taxes be subject to tax CREDITS based upon the CHOICE of the taxpayer. Motor fuel, sales taxes and fees would still be filtered through the government, but everything else would empower the people who pay the freight rather than the corrupt crooked pols and the government/union/entitlement industry.
So which do you support, liberal, empowering the people or the corrupt Illinois government?
That’s a critical question going forward….
Comment by Arizona Bob Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 12:15 pm
Archiesmom-
“It takes a blog.”
And people who believe enough to pay it forward. Congrats to you all!
Comment by Anon221 Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 12:32 pm
God’s blessings to her and her family.
(Channeling my Aunt) Now use some of that money to get that tattoo removed!
Comment by In a Minute Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 12:43 pm
==taxpayers have NO control==
Yeah they do. They are called elections. Don’t like our system of government? Work to change it. You want to get a survey every time a dollar is spent then advocate for that.
To the post . . .
This is a great story. It’s nice to see people come through when others are in need. A big problem in our society, I believe, are people that have the attitude of “I’ve got mine and I could care less about you.” We see that with people who constantly rail against social programs. This is a real life story of why those programs are important. Maybe some of you “I’ve got mine” crowd should do a little internal reflection.
Comment by Demoralized Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 1:18 pm
Gee, AZ Bob, what do you think would happen when every one of the tens of thousands of people who’ve had their heat shut off, lost their child care, etc. put their stories on “gofundme” or some other similar site? Do you think EACH of them you deem “worthy” will get the same monetary response? Ummmm, I don’t think so.
There are always going to be stories that people can point to justifying (in their minds) why they shouldn’t give to a particular person or group (Google ‘Red Cross Scandal’ or just ‘charity scandal).
Point being: no matter what human institution you consider, chances are, at some point, it will do something you don’t like (Government, charity, business, union, church, etc.). That doesn’t make them all corrupt. What is corrupt is turning our backs on our most vulnerable. The best way of doing that is through our government.
Comment by Hyperbolic Chamber Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 1:41 pm
The best way NOT to do that is through our government
Comment by Hyperbolic Chamber Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 1:43 pm
it wasnt a wort in the midwest jobs creation that was the problem…. it was a gov refusing to fund social services unless or untill unions rights and state salaries are eliminated. none of which will create jobs
as i have said before il adds higher paying jobs, its 50 year job growth lags behind states that add min wage jobs. those jobs dont brin in revenue and cost money in social programs. Il adds well paying jobs and continues to do so. as ia and wisc are learning, their median wages are dropping as the add poverty jobs and move wealth out of economic circulation and gather in the hands of a tiny few who park the money instead of making purhases.
when you see rauners van think of the money he is not spending in local buisness, like car dealers…. money parked in investments dont grow economies, you meed money being spent and circulated.
Comment by Ghost Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 3:22 pm
So happy that donors have pitched in to stabilize her family. Now I hope an EMPLOYER will step up and offer her or her husband a job. The budget madness is only half this story. Slow local economy is the other. And without stable income, they’ll ultimately end up in the same spot.
Comment by otto Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 7:04 pm
Hello! This is great news for them. I am actually a journalism student and wanted to interview her and her family for my own story about homelessness. Could you please let me know what is the best way to contact them, either by email or phone. Thank you,!
Comment by Journalism Student Thursday, Nov 12, 15 @ 9:56 am