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Stranger Steps Up to Help Anchorage FamilyCraigslist ad leads to act of kindnessRelated Content
ANCHORAGE - Reaching out for help on Craigslist wasn't easy for Mandy Premo. “This year is the worst year I've ever had,” said the mother of four in her East Anchorage home. The 33-year-old is out of work, and can't afford basic living expenses, let alone a birthday present for her son Zamir, who turned 6 years old Tuesday. "I did have a really good job, I made a bad decision, decided to drink and drive, got a felony DUI, and I lost my job, I was banned from the medical field,” said an emotional Premo. Premo said she doesn't want her children to suffer for her bad choices. After exhausting other charitable avenues, she posted a notice for help online, explaining that her children won’t be getting birthday and Christmas presents this year. A complete stranger answered. On Tuesday, donor Victoria Kondor met the family for the first time. "I know what that's like; every Christmas my mother would say, there's not enough, you're not going to have Christmas presents,” said Kondor. Kondor and Premo had only spoken over the phone a couple of times before meeting. "She called me last week,” said Kondor. “And her voice was, you know, she was down. I could tell, and she said she was rejected.” Mandy Premo said she applied to the Salvation Army's "Adopt-a-Family" program, which matches impoverished families with individual or group sponsors, but her application was denied and she was told the Salvation Army doesn't have enough sponsors to help. Victoria Kondor made sure 6-year-old Zamir had a birthday to remember. She bought him a cake and a box full of toys; the majority related to drawing. "This kid could potentially have a career as a graphic artist,” said Kondor. Premo was more than thankful "She came… in a time of need, and she really came through and helped me and it's great,” she said. Premo says she doesn't drink anymore, she's studying and looking for employment. “I'll get there, I think positive and I believe in God and I believe in miracles.” One of those miracles arrived Tuesday in the form of Victoria Kondor. “It's simple, but it's enough," said Kondor. This Christmas, thanks to Kondor, all of the Premo children have multiple presents waiting for them to open. |
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Jon said on Wednesday, Dec 19 at 9:05 AM
As members of the human race, most of us have made mistakes, bad decisions, or poor choices. There are some that continue to make them but I think this Mother wants to make good to care for the child.Maybe some employer will give her the gift of a decent job, I hope.
109577275Wes said on Wednesday, Dec 19 at 9:51 AM
Too bad someone simply ENABLED this woman to feel better about her choice to ENDANGER the lives of others just so that her kids can have a GREAT Christmas. Someone explain to the parents that lost their child to a DRUNK DRIVER that this woman shouldn't have to pay for her mistakes. With all the antoi drunk driver ads is this really a message hat we should be sending. This lady should be taking her kids to hospitals on Christmas to teach them the impact of what she could have done, instead of begging others to help her.
109580705Kat said on Wednesday, Dec 19 at 10:07 AM
In the medical field, with a little rehab and some contrition, doctors are forgiven their sins but nurses never, ever, are. It's incredibly unfair and the field loses a lot of caring talent because of it.
109582152TedtheBear said on Wednesday, Dec 19 at 11:11 AM
It nice that the kid will have a good Christmas. But it may toughen this woman forever not to drink and drive if she had to witness how her action and behavior affected her son's Christmas. Felony DUI make her a repeat offender doesn't it? Her cries for help sound bit hypocritical.
109588291ColdNAK said on Wednesday, Dec 19 at 11:38 AM
Amen Kat! Doctors are always forgiven, even for drug addiction - nurses never! No matter what her bad choices are or were, her children shouldn't have to suffer for her mistakes. Hopefully she learned a hard lesson and is striving to lead by example for her children. Another question - where's the dad? God Bless her & those children.
109590195NT said on Wednesday, Dec 19 at 1:58 PM
It is nice that someone was kind to these children, but Mandy has had plenty of chances. To get a Felony DUI you have been convicted twice in the last ten years. Her first two DUI's were in '08. Plus, she had been convicted of other crimes since being convicted of this DUI. So even being on supervised probation isn't keeping her out of trouble.
109602245Mandy said on Wednesday, Dec 19 at 3:50 PM
I have had plenty of chances and always had an escape goat to get me out of them, so I never truly learned what it was doing to my family until my Felony DUI- And now I realize more than ever the mistakes I have made in my life- But nobody is perfect people make mistakes- It's what you do afterwards that matters- I have turned my life around and I attend treatment as well as school daily- I am becoming a better role model for my children- And no one has to like me or my story but its the truth- I could have lied to the public but I chose to be honest- I don't like asking others for help, let alone ever asking anyone for anything. But a wise friend of mine told me to put my pride to side for my children and if that's what I have to do to keep my babies dreams alive about Santa then that's what I am willing to do!!!! They are my everything!!!!!
109609826KIM said on Wednesday, Dec 19 at 3:56 PM
I TRIED TO CONTACT THIS WOMAN , ASKING FOR CLOTHING AND SHOE SIZES FOR THE KIDS SO I COULD GIVE THEM SOME GENTLY USED ITEMS WITH NO RESPONSE. I GUESS SHE WILL ONLY ACCEPT NEW ITEMS!!!!SO WOULD MY KIDS SHAME ON HER REJECTING HELP IF IT DOESNT MEET HER HIGH STANDARDS.
109610326Mandy said on Wednesday, Dec 19 at 4:12 PM
To Kim- I never received a call or an email from anyone named Kim- And there are people who are giving me used stuff, that I AM excepting- Anything to me is a blessing- I am not picky or stuck up like your making me sound- I actually have a big heart and I am a really sweet person- My children and I even went thru our things that no longer fit or that we don't use so we can donate them to people who are also in need- Please don't make me out to be a bad person, Cause that's far from true
109611456Mandy said on Wednesday, Dec 19 at 4:25 PM
I have had plenty of chances and always had an escape goat to get me out of them, so I never truly learned what it was doing to my family until my Felony DUI- And now I realize more than ever the mistakes I have made in my life- But nobody is perfect people make mistakes- It's what you do afterwards that matters- I have turned my life around and I attend treatment as well as school daily- I am becoming a better role model for my children- And no one has to like me or my story but its the truth- I could have lied to the public but I chose to be honest- I don't like asking others for help, let alone ever asking anyone for anything. But a wise friend of mine told me to put my pride to side for my children and if that's what I have to do to keep my babies dreams alive about Santa then that's what I am willing to do!!!! They are my everything!!!!!
109612286person with a heart said on Wednesday, Dec 19 at 5:44 PM
this is to all the ignorant people making comments about the mother's (Mandy) decisions or bad judgement. all you people are missing the point of the story. its about the child & children in need during his birthday & the holidays. its a time of caring & giving. helping those in need especially the little ones. all the negativity is pointless & unproductive.
109616026Stymie said on Wednesday, Dec 19 at 6:01 PM
I think the lady who got the kid a birthday is a nice lady. I bet she has cats.
109617441warriormom said on Wednesday, Dec 19 at 7:10 PM
Everyone makes mistakes and deserves a second chance, blessings to the woman who stepped up, and hoping Mandy realizes what life could have been like. Good luck to you.
109620885Mandy said on Wednesday, Dec 19 at 8:18 PM
Thank you to the ones who had something positive to say- I am so grateful that there are people out there who do understand and who do care. And that not everyone is a grinch- I am trying- I am trying the best I can and the best I know how- Christmas isn't like it used to be- I remember a time when it was all about joy and helping others- And the happiness that was spread throughout the holidays- And now most seem to be hateful and demeaning- I hope everyone just for one day can see the joy in things and stop being so negative, and just smile. Make someone else's day a little easier however you can. I know I do my best to give back- It truly feels good- It fills the heart with joy. Try it you might like it!!!!! It's actually a lot easier than being grumpy!!
109625105"Let he who is without sin cast the first stone." said on Wednesday, Dec 19 at 8:23 PM
Shame on those who are contributing ugly hatefulness, which is evil and counterproductive. Has society not advanced beyond petty belittlement since Jesus made this statement. I say to you, reconsider your stance and your sins will be forgiven.
109625345Wes said on Thursday, Dec 20 at 6:31 AM
Mandy, How many DUIs did it take for you to learn this "lesson"? There are many people that have it worse than you, what did you do for them? What lesson did you teach your kids from this?
109652266Chris said on Thursday, Dec 20 at 10:55 AM
Enough with tearing down these women, who were merely trying to bring joy to a child on his 6th birthday and provide a nice Christmas to four kids who are caught in the middle of an unfortunate situation. Instead, try questioning your values and frames of minds for posting unsavory, hurtful comments. In doing so you are just as much in error here and not making the world a better place to live.
109675586Pily said on Thursday, Dec 20 at 2:24 PM
Why is she looking for more help I just saw her post today !! You don't have enough from all this people?!
109691736Let he who is without sin cast the first stone said on Thursday, Dec 20 at 3:21 PM
I will cast that stone. I have NEVER had a DUI, I NEVER will. I lost my Grandmother and my Aunt to a drunk driver in Iowa. DUIs are INTENTIONAL ACTS not mistakes! Even after all that was done for Mandy she is still posting the EXACT SAME ad on Craigslist. Want to explain how that is right in any way?
109695156Victoria Kondor said on Friday, Dec 21 at 9:39 AM
I am the woman who helped Mandy Premo, and I didn't know about the DUIs; but had I known before the news airing, it would not had stopped me from helping her children, specifically Zamir, in celebrating these events. I was not looking for this opportunity, it came to me when I stumbled onto the community section of Craigslist shortly before Thanksgiving. I originally agreed to help with the birthday and urged her to seek out social service avenues for Christmas, which were unsuccessful. Mandy did not ask for anything for herself; it was for her children. And she is taking corrective steps to turn her life around. Therefore, I ask the public stop shaming her; I'm sure she is living with the impact of her actions everyday. As far as her children are concerned, my opinion is this: When we invest in a child, we are ultimately enriching the future of the community. In closing, it was John Lennon who said "Give peace a chance." and Rodney King "Can't we all just get along?" God Bless
109753166Granny Fanny said on Friday, Dec 21 at 11:54 AM
God Bless you Victoria. Its so easy for people to make comments based on judgments, and if only we could see a record or their pasts and perhaps current faults... What you did for this lady and her kids touched my heart. I wonder how many people who have NOT ever had a DUI is because you got 'lucky'....
109765506Tis the season said on Friday, Dec 21 at 2:38 PM
I feel for the children. I had a house fire in September of this year causing me to loose money due to being off work trying to pick up the pieces. My grandson didn't get a birthday party in October as we were all displaced. I was living and working in another town trying to get things back in order when there was a house fire at the house I was staying at this past friday. I again have been displaced. My grandson again will be missing out on another special day in his three year old life but I hope I am teaching him as I have taught my children....it's not about what you get, its about what you give. He has made "panclocks" (pancakes) to give to his family for breakfast on christmas morning.
109775416Cecilia said on Sunday, Dec 23 at 8:13 AM
Apparently Mandy has a lot of time here and o Craig's. To get her life on the road to repair she should do some volunteer work. Bean's cafe or some other legitimate organization. With the holidays they need a strong able person like her and some one who understands hardship....in other words get off the computer and you a.sdo something
109871196Linda said on Sunday, Dec 23 at 10:08 AM
Cecilla, you are being unreasonable. Mandy has no vehicle, four children to raise, and is attending a vocational school at this time. Your negativity is disgusting and you seem to have anger issues you need to address, so get off this site and log onto Dr. Phil's.
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