ABC aired a special tonight called Children of the Mountains. It went over the lives of children that had struggled growing up due to their location and circumstance. Shawn Grim, a particular child on the special had a dream of becoming a football player.
Grim is 18 years old and in the special, trieds to get out of the mountains and become a high school football star all while sleeping in a truck. He sleeps in his truck to get away from his family. He says that everybody that lives on his Hollow are all family and all they ever do is fight with each other. Shawn Grim wants to be the first in his family to graduate high school.
At the beginning of Grim's senior year, he led the state of Kentucky in touchdowns. He is the
start of the high school football team, theJohnson Central Golden Eagles. He hopes to use his football talent to gain a scholarship to a college.
43 comments:
I really want to do something to help this kid, before he falls through the cracks and loses hope. I seen the show tonight on ABC (20/20), and his story really moved me. We should come together and try to raise money (like a fund raiser) in order to help Shawn. I wish I had money to pay for his full scholarship to a college, but if any one wants to come together let me know, maybe we can get something started for him; just respond to this post.
Is there a donation site or a way of getting in contact with Shawn Grim?
I watched the television program about Shawn Grim. His story touched me. He needs to get out of that town and start over. I wish him the best. How can I get in touch with him?
How do I get in touch with this young man? I may be able to help him.
I hope someone who is able to help him saw the program and gives him a chance. I wish I was in a position to help. dksmith112@aol.com
Does anyone know how to get in touch with him? I may have a perfect school for him; it's free and has a growing football program that he would fit right into...I would love to help this boy have an oppurtunity to have the life he deserves.
My wife and i would really like to help Shawn go to college.
Perhaps we could start a trust fund administered by his coach at Pikeville College.
We need to help him get an education and break the cycle.
I would be happy to pursue this if others are interested
He's an amazing young man! If anyone starts any kind of donation fund or finds a way to help him, I would be willing to what I can. I can't do much but like they say, every little bit helps.
I want to help Shawn too. Diane don't put this story out there and leave us feeling this way, tell us how to help. We watched this show as a family and my 2 kids were ready to hop in the car and drive all the way to KY to get him to pull him out of that holler and bring him here with us. His story broke our hearts. WE want to keep following him knowing how he is how can we contact him to let him know there are thousands of families out here praying for him and his success. If only the story would have posted earlier if we would have known he needed support in college I am sure people would have helped. Although times are hard for everyone there is always someone worse off and we as americans are very giving and very caring when it comes to kids. We always help each other in times of need we pull together and it is what makes us what we are. Please someone help us help Shawn.
I recall a show on PBS called "The Farmer's Wife." It traced the life of a struggling rural family in Nebraska. I started speaking about it at work, and found that several people at work were also watching. I later found out that anonymous donors donated a trip to Disney World for the family and someone donated dental work for the mother. I would think that a scholarship could be set up for Shawn to go to college. Maybe this could be administered by someone at Shawn's high school. He needs tuition and living expenses. Many kids these days are in the same predicament. If you don't have help from your family, you can hardly afford to go to college. My daughter has friends at Indiana State University that are in debt up to their eyeballs. When my mom attended Purdue in 1941, she had to work and live at home for four years to be able to afford it. Back then, you could work your way through school. However, Mom told me before she died that she realized a kid can't work his way through college.
A kid in a middle class family, with their families help of a few thousand a year and some student loans, can go to a state college and come out with not much debt.
Shawn probably does not qualify for a full ride scholarship, however due to his circumstances, he is probably more deserving than most people who do have such a scholarship. I am not sure how to set it up, but we should do something
Enough...we all need a contact to help Shawn Grim. Will Diane Sawyer please step up to the plate and help us all help this kid before it is too late. He needs to get out of that lifestyle and make something of himself. That is what he has worked so hard to accomplish. What can we do?
Hey everyone,
I too felt like I need to do something to help this kid. He has drive and determination. He could really do something with his life. I did some research and came up with the phone number for his high school. If anyone can help please contact the school and let them know
859-299-5472
I too, went to Johnson Central High School....As I watched this special ...my heart was moved by this young man. I am so excited to see that so many others want to help him .....This young man needs to be encouraged to go on and use his talent to help other young men find their way. How do we all go about getting something started for Shawn?????
My wife and I are willing to help in anyway we can. I will also pass this to all my friends in the Navy to get as much help as possible.
My husband and I have 5 kids - 3 still in college, 2 graduated. We will be paying off debt for years to come. I can't stand that this kid might not make it because of $$. I looked up the tuition at Pikeville. Shawn will need approx. $25,000 a year to cover tuition and living expenses. I am going to call the college to see if I can help. I will be starting a fund - I will try to set it up so that the $$ goes straight to the college so that everyone will be comfortable with donating. If we can raise $100,000 - that should do it. Maybe the $$ could be kept in a CD somehow and an administrator could draw from it as needed or monthly? Please email me if you are interested. If we can get this kid out - at least we have saved one, that is better then none. Thanks - Tamjward@yahoo.com
I am glad to see that I am not alone in wanting to reach out to this young man. I think that he got overwhelmed during the transition into college competition because he had no support system (family/friends/tutors) and no way to contact his family easily. I've done some checking into college grants from the Federal Government, etc. I think that there should be a way also to form a single purpose foundation and raise some money to assist with the cost of public or community college. I've written to ABC to see if there is an address to reach Mr. Grim and am hoping to contact him and offer my assistance. Hopefully others will follow suit and this young man can know that he has touched the hearts of many who wish to see him succeed.
Shawn if you read these comments know that alot of people are praying for you to make a better life for yourself.
We live in Ames, IA and if you want go to college or find a job here we would be happy to have you live with our family.
I'll check back in a week or so.
Just scrolling through the news. Found the clip on the web about Shawn. If ANYONE knows how we can get this started. We need to get Shawn's help on a single page. Like ShawnGrim.com. Let us know. Freddie.goins@kelloggs.com.
Shawn's story broke my heart, I want to help him. Surely he is eligible for a Pell grant? He will need money for living expenses though. He had an athletic scholarship, but dropped out, maybe there is a need for a tutor as well? I wish there were a way to get in contact with him with so many people wanting to help.
I can't do much for him financially (although I'll definitely try), but what else he needs is moral support to get through college. He needs to know that there are people he can lean on for stuff like that, too. If he ever needs somebody to talk or email to, Diane Sawyer, let him know I'll be there for him. He has potential and needs to get out of there and leave his family, because they are probably jealous of the fact that he can have a future, anyway.
I also would like to help Shawn out. If there was a scholarship fund set up in his name, I would send a check today. I am a recent graduate and I know that he would qualify for the Pell Grant to help out with his expenses. That would be some money but not enough. Is there a way to get in touch with him to help out? If anyone finds any information on a way to donate to help him out, please let me know! jrgoose@uga.edu
shawn's story is amazing! like the rest of these commenters, i want to help. keep us posted if you learn anything on how we can accomplish that!
To those of you wishing to help, we have started a website (tho it is online, it is NOT complete yet). The site is going to provide links to organizations listed by ABC to help. However, we are also hopeful to establish a trust fund for donations to help Shawn. To prevent ANY accusations of impropriety, etc., all donations would be sent directly to the trust fund (presumably a bank). We will not be handling any of the donations! We are hopeful ABC can assist us in getting this setup. If you would like to be added to our e-mail list to receive updated info in the future, please send an e-mail to webmaster@helpshawngrim.com and request to be added. Also, you can visit the website at www.helpshawngrim.com tho, as previously stated, it is NOT complete, so we encourage you to check back daily. We hope to have it 100% completed by this Wednesday. Finally, if ANYONE knows how to get in touch with Shawn (phone, e-mail, snail mail, cell, etc.), please e-mail webmaster@helpshawngrim.com and let us know. Thanks!
I called the phone number listed in these comments no one is willing to help. Does anyone remember the high school's name or the coach? Trying to find shawn!!!!
Okay I di some research and Shawn Grim went to Johnson Central High School phone number 606-789-2500 and the Board of Education phone number is 606-789-2530. Also talked with a family thats just opened a organization there to help her web page is www.newfam.org they need all the help they can get. There is no cell phone coverage or internet there (not yet). Their phone number is 606-663-0791. I hope some one finds this kid and gives him hope to go forward. Please America lets help them! I live in Tennessee and constantly see grown ups die from no medical where Tenncare (medicaid had cut backs) and no one is helping them either. This is a shame and disgrace to America. Lets get the word out that this will not be tolerated any more!!! Americans helping each other live to see tomorrow.
I really want to help him somehow, I got myself through college (with a few hickups with financial aid) but I know a lot about how to do these things. I'd love to help him out and organize local fundraising efforts. If anyone knows how to contact him, please let me know...I think the first step is to establish some form of communication with him to let him know he needs to hang in there and maybe give him some suggestions on how to make sure he remains eligible for the scholarship from his college while our efforts develop.
From ABC News website:
A number of viewers expressed interest in contacting the children featured during the show. We cannot provide the families' personal information, but ABC News encourages anyone who wants to help the children in the story to go through the Christian Appalachian Project, which is in contact with the families and has set up special funds for each child. This includes a college fund for Shawn. CAP can also collect items such as clothing, food and toys for delivery to the families.
CLICK HERE to visit CAP's Web site or call 1-877-919-9901 or 1-866-270-4227.
ABC News Web Site:
A number of viewers expressed interest in contacting the children featured during the show. We cannot provide the families' personal information, but ABC News encourages anyone who wants to help the children in the story to go through the Christian Appalachian Project, which is in contact with the families and has set up special funds for each child. This includes a college fund for Shawn. CAP can also collect items such as clothing, food and toys for delivery to the families.
CLICK HERE to visit CAP's Web site or call 1-877-919-9901 or 1-866-270-4227.
HOW TO HELP SHAWN GRIM -To all those out there on this news feed adding comments that were interested in providing financial support to Shawn Grim to return to college - I have been in contact with his former football coach and they are in the process of setting up a trust fund for him so that everyone who saw this story and wants to help financially may do so - this should be set up in the next few days - and I will post more as soon as I hear it - in the mean time - if you want to e-mail and let me know you are interested in donating to him - I will keep you in an e-mail list so that I can let you know the details of the fund and where to send the money when it is all set up. e-mail me at: help_for_shawn_from_ny@hotmail.com
Thank you for your continued support - if I can set up similar funds for the others featured in the story I will - we are trying to locate people who can get us in contact with them - if anyone can help please email me - thanks help_for_shawn_from_ny@hotmail.com
HOW TO HELP SHAWN GRIM - To all those out there on this news feed adding comments that were interested in providing financial support to Shawn Grim to return to college - I have been in contact with his former football coach and they are in the process of setting up a trust fund for him so that everyone who saw this story and wants to help financially may do so - this should be set up in the next few days - and I will post more as soon as I hear it - in the mean time - if you want to e-mail and let me know you are interested in donating to him - I will keep you in an e-mail list so that I can let you know the details of the fund and where to send the money when it is all set up. e-mail me at: help_for_shawn_from_ny@hotmail.com
Thank you for your continued support - if I can set up similar funds for the others featured in the story I will - we are trying to locate people who can get us in contact with them - if anyone can help please email me - thanks help_for_shawn_from_ny@hotmail.com
The Christian Apalachain Project has a donation center and you can specify which child from the program you want the money to go to. It is already set up through the project and ABC. The website is www.christianapp.org. Hope this helps all who want to raise money for the children of Apalachia.
http://www.topix.com/forum/city/paintsville-ky/TC3Q7PM09VCL8D0M6
post above link into browser...
Looks like Shaun's family needs assistance as well...
After watching the show, if I knew where Shawn lived I would get in my car and pick him up to come live with my family. I was the first person in my family to go to college and know the struggle. If anyone finds a way to help email me at akearns4@kent.edu
Please check for yourselves about the CAP before sending them one dime.
A poster on ABC checked out this org and found that much of the funds sent to them is used to pay their salaries.
A scholarship is being set up to help Shawn Grimm go back to college at www.chrisitianapp.org.
You can donate directly on this website to Shawn or any other of the children featured on the 20/20 show.
Shawn’s story was compelling. What touched me most was how personable, relaxed, and natural he was in the setting of a TV focused story about him. This boy has all the inherent makings of a winner. I believe he can do anything he sets his mind to do. I believe that emotional support is the thing that he needs the most. I hope he doesn’t cave in to the ups and downs that he will be facing as he tries to grow up and make the best of his God given abilities. I will be watching his progress. Karen M
Just found out on www.helpshawngrim.com:
It was announced by Diane Sawyer on Good Morning America that, as a result of the 20/20 documentary regarding Shawn and his plight, he had been offered Full-Ride scholarships to THREE different colleges/universities, with the opportunity to continue playing the sport he loves, football. In addition, these offers include all housing expenses, tutoring assistance, and employment opportunities.
Good Luck Shawn!
Does anyone know why Shawn will probably not take any of these offers from the 3 schools?
He knows that everyone now knows his story and he will feel that everyone at the schools will be whispering and pointing fingers. Although his feelings even if a bit mis guided should be considered. His home town and the angry comments posted by those that have or do live in that area on the net from those who felt ABC was wrong to show only the bad has left Shawn feeling like he would just like to dissappear.
I'm just SO glad to hear that Shawn has been able to return to college. I hope NOTHING keeps him down. He has a strong sense of character
GO Shawn GO! I'll be sending you goodies to your new college, as shown on 20/20 Friday, Feb 20.
There are so many of us rooting for you!
If Shawn has the grit and determination he showed during the broadcast, then he will swallow his pride, ignore the trolls and those who want to keep him from succeeding and he'll get out of his situation. He's down, but not out. This is his ONE chance and if he blows it, he may not get many more. I hope the trolls and losers who criticize him shut up and crawl back under their rocks. Just because they want to stay drugged up and drunk and hopeless is no reason he has to. Ignore them Shawn.
There's no shame in wanting to make something better for yourself or your life. Take the offers and go.
I have checked out the Christian Appalachian Project, and they receive great ratings for charity giving. I do not understand the negative comments I have seen in this blog.
If you have any concrete evidence that they are not a worthy charity, can you please post that information on this blog?
Otherwise I will be donating to these kids, via Christian Appalachian Project,
Hi, I am a citizens of knox county ky.I am so glad shawn has came to union college as a seventeen year old girl he has inspired me to not loose hope and I hope he enjoys it here in Barbourville I was driving up the road yesterday and seen shawn walking... and I thought to my self I would Like to get to know him. But... It might be odd to approach him. If anyone needs help rasing money please notify me on here I will be glad to help.
i really like this boy ! he is oh so cute & i just want to come down there & rescue him & let him come live with me. hehe. it sucks that he is such a an amazing kid & he has to live the way he does. yeah, its not his fault, but it sucks.
Post a Comment