Help an Honorable Young Man
Donation protected
I’m a former U.S. Air Force Officer, presently I work for the Department of Defense. In 2014 I volunteered for a one-year assignment in the Balkan Region. While there, I met and befriended a young man from the country’s military I’ll call Janko. I am starting this campaign unbeknownst to Janko, and keeping his identity masked in order to shield him from any adverse actions from his local military unit.
The short version:
Janko is an amazingly kind-hearted young man stuck in a bad situation, not of his own doing, but only because of his generosity towards his family. With a loving wife and a baby on the way, Janko’s financial needs are far too great for him to meet right now. Your gift will go a long way in freeing him from a smothering debt, making basic repairs to his rundown apartment, helping him prepare to bring home his newborn baby, getting a reliable car, and having enough left over for emergencies.
The full story:
Janko is a true gentleman who comes from an unbelievably terrible upbringing. To give you some perspective on Janko’s childhood, I’ll tell you the story of his 22nd birthday.
On Janko’s birthday, I invited him and his wife Tatiana to my apartment for dinner. I bought a nice birthday cake and a simple gift of some fishing supplies.
After dinner I went to the kitchen, pulled out the cake, lit 22 candles, and walked out singing the worst-sounding version of “Happy Birthday” anyone has ever sung. As I put the cake in front of him, I reached behind the couch and gave him my simple gift, wrapped in some leftover paper. For a long moment, Janko sat there, staring in stunned silence. Both he and Tatiana were so quiet I began to think I might have made a huge cultural faux-pas. But then his eyes welled up and he began to weep. He asked, “Why did you do this?” I said “Because you’re my friend.” I told him to make a wish and blow out the candles before the cake caught on fire; they both laughed a bit and he blew out the candles. After serving the cake, I asked him why he was upset. What followed forever changed my perspective on life.
Janko’s Childhood
Janko told me this was the first time in his life anyone had ever celebrated his birthday, much less bought him a gift. As I listened to his story, I was now the one who sat quietly in stunned disbelief.
That night he confided in me that his dad was a drunk who regularly beat everyone in his family. When trouble started, Janko often hid his younger siblings so his dad would only have him to beat.
When Janko was 17 he had grown in size and was stronger than his dad. The next time Janko found his dad beating his mother he decided enough was enough. Janko pulled his mother away, grabbed his dad by the shirt, and told him if he ever laid a hand on anyone in the family again he would give him the beating of his life. At this point his drunken dad broke down crying, trying to apologize, but Janko would have none of it.
Less than a week later Janko returned home from school only to find his dad had thrown all of his belongings in front of the house. As Janko stood there, stunned, his dad came outside and told him he was no longer his son and was never to set foot in the house again. Janko left, found a cheap, rundown apartment to live in, joined the military, and began his new life.
He knew his dad wasted his paycheck on alcohol, leaving almost nothing for his mother to buy food with. Janko continually saved whatever money he could and gave it to his mother when his dad wasn’t around, having her hide it in order to buy food for the family.
I can’t appropriately describe what an extraordinarily good heart he has. That night I told him to forget the past; from now on I consider him my son. He asked why I would say that, telling me it’s not right because I already have a family to care for. I told him he deserves better and I would do my best to help him; all he needed to do was ask.
Janko’s Financial Situation
About a month ago, Janko asked me if I could sponsor him for a work visa. When I asked why, he told me he had a friend who can get him a job over here bussing tables. I asked why he needed to use his vacation days only to come to the U.S. to work. After going back and forth a few times, I finally managed to get him to tell me what was going on.
At this point I found out how truly bad his situation had become.
Shortly after I left in 2015, Janko’s younger brother totaled his car; afterwards, he asked Janko to help him get a loan for a new car. Of course his brother promised to make all the payments, so being the trusting man he is, Janko co-signed on his brother’s loan. Sadly, his brother is nothing more than a cheat and a liar. Although his brother still has the new car, he hasn’t paid a cent on the loan.
For Janko, there are no legal means to have the car repossessed. His position in the military means that should any negative financial information be reported, at best he would face serious disciplinary actions, but most likely he would be discharged.
Janko’s Apartment
Before I left in 2015, Janko and Tatiana invited me to their apartment for dinner. As I walked into a small, dark, two-room Soviet-era apartment, I was stunned. All told it was only about 700 square feet. It had cement brick walls with cracked and missing stucco, and no working heating or A/C (the temperature in the area ranges from 20-105 degrees Fahrenheit). The wooden windows were rotting and the gaps stuffed with newspaper. Their “full” bathroom was about the size of a half-bath in the U.S.
Janko’s car is over 10 years old and very unreliable. Because he can’t afford to buy new parts, Janko scrounges through junkyards trying to find parts just to keep his car running.
Recently he told me they are expecting their first child in a few months.
Janko and Tatiana have absolutely no spare money to improve or prepare their apartment to bring a child home to. They can’t afford a crib, car seat, clothes, diapers, formula… In fact, they’re sleeping on a bed that’s at least 20 years old, with a mattress that can’t be much newer.
Janko expressed his sense of shame that he is unable to provide for his wife and coming child. Without hesitation I told him I would take this burden from him.
The condition of the buildings/landscape in Janko's area:
Amount Needed
As a military member Janko is paid about $8,700 a year. His brother’s car payments total $3,250 a year, with about $14,000 left to pay over the next four years.
I asked him exactly what he needed to get out of debt, fix his apartment, prepare to bring home his baby, get a reliable car, and have enough money for emergencies. He told me about €13,000 (Euros). Knowing Janko personally, I know he does not want to impose or be a burden to anyone, and he knowingly understated how much he truly needs to get back on his feet. As such, I want to try to raise $30,000 for him and his family.
Throughout my military career I have done my utmost to take care of the people entrusted to me. I personally want to assure each and every one of you: EVERY PENNY raised will be directly sent to Janko and Tatiana, or will cover the cost of shipping baby-related items donated by members of my church to them. I have tried and failed to find a way to do this on my own. At this point, I don’t know if I’ll be able to. But I’ve given him my word that I would take this burden from him. I’ve made a promise, and that’s something I always keep.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Respectfully and sincerely yours,
- William Brinton
The short version:
Janko is an amazingly kind-hearted young man stuck in a bad situation, not of his own doing, but only because of his generosity towards his family. With a loving wife and a baby on the way, Janko’s financial needs are far too great for him to meet right now. Your gift will go a long way in freeing him from a smothering debt, making basic repairs to his rundown apartment, helping him prepare to bring home his newborn baby, getting a reliable car, and having enough left over for emergencies.
The full story:
Janko is a true gentleman who comes from an unbelievably terrible upbringing. To give you some perspective on Janko’s childhood, I’ll tell you the story of his 22nd birthday.
On Janko’s birthday, I invited him and his wife Tatiana to my apartment for dinner. I bought a nice birthday cake and a simple gift of some fishing supplies.
After dinner I went to the kitchen, pulled out the cake, lit 22 candles, and walked out singing the worst-sounding version of “Happy Birthday” anyone has ever sung. As I put the cake in front of him, I reached behind the couch and gave him my simple gift, wrapped in some leftover paper. For a long moment, Janko sat there, staring in stunned silence. Both he and Tatiana were so quiet I began to think I might have made a huge cultural faux-pas. But then his eyes welled up and he began to weep. He asked, “Why did you do this?” I said “Because you’re my friend.” I told him to make a wish and blow out the candles before the cake caught on fire; they both laughed a bit and he blew out the candles. After serving the cake, I asked him why he was upset. What followed forever changed my perspective on life.
Janko’s Childhood
Janko told me this was the first time in his life anyone had ever celebrated his birthday, much less bought him a gift. As I listened to his story, I was now the one who sat quietly in stunned disbelief.
That night he confided in me that his dad was a drunk who regularly beat everyone in his family. When trouble started, Janko often hid his younger siblings so his dad would only have him to beat.
When Janko was 17 he had grown in size and was stronger than his dad. The next time Janko found his dad beating his mother he decided enough was enough. Janko pulled his mother away, grabbed his dad by the shirt, and told him if he ever laid a hand on anyone in the family again he would give him the beating of his life. At this point his drunken dad broke down crying, trying to apologize, but Janko would have none of it.
Less than a week later Janko returned home from school only to find his dad had thrown all of his belongings in front of the house. As Janko stood there, stunned, his dad came outside and told him he was no longer his son and was never to set foot in the house again. Janko left, found a cheap, rundown apartment to live in, joined the military, and began his new life.
He knew his dad wasted his paycheck on alcohol, leaving almost nothing for his mother to buy food with. Janko continually saved whatever money he could and gave it to his mother when his dad wasn’t around, having her hide it in order to buy food for the family.
I can’t appropriately describe what an extraordinarily good heart he has. That night I told him to forget the past; from now on I consider him my son. He asked why I would say that, telling me it’s not right because I already have a family to care for. I told him he deserves better and I would do my best to help him; all he needed to do was ask.
Janko’s Financial Situation
About a month ago, Janko asked me if I could sponsor him for a work visa. When I asked why, he told me he had a friend who can get him a job over here bussing tables. I asked why he needed to use his vacation days only to come to the U.S. to work. After going back and forth a few times, I finally managed to get him to tell me what was going on.
At this point I found out how truly bad his situation had become.
Shortly after I left in 2015, Janko’s younger brother totaled his car; afterwards, he asked Janko to help him get a loan for a new car. Of course his brother promised to make all the payments, so being the trusting man he is, Janko co-signed on his brother’s loan. Sadly, his brother is nothing more than a cheat and a liar. Although his brother still has the new car, he hasn’t paid a cent on the loan.
For Janko, there are no legal means to have the car repossessed. His position in the military means that should any negative financial information be reported, at best he would face serious disciplinary actions, but most likely he would be discharged.
Janko’s Apartment
Before I left in 2015, Janko and Tatiana invited me to their apartment for dinner. As I walked into a small, dark, two-room Soviet-era apartment, I was stunned. All told it was only about 700 square feet. It had cement brick walls with cracked and missing stucco, and no working heating or A/C (the temperature in the area ranges from 20-105 degrees Fahrenheit). The wooden windows were rotting and the gaps stuffed with newspaper. Their “full” bathroom was about the size of a half-bath in the U.S.
Janko’s car is over 10 years old and very unreliable. Because he can’t afford to buy new parts, Janko scrounges through junkyards trying to find parts just to keep his car running.
Recently he told me they are expecting their first child in a few months.
Janko and Tatiana have absolutely no spare money to improve or prepare their apartment to bring a child home to. They can’t afford a crib, car seat, clothes, diapers, formula… In fact, they’re sleeping on a bed that’s at least 20 years old, with a mattress that can’t be much newer.
Janko expressed his sense of shame that he is unable to provide for his wife and coming child. Without hesitation I told him I would take this burden from him.
The condition of the buildings/landscape in Janko's area:
Amount Needed
As a military member Janko is paid about $8,700 a year. His brother’s car payments total $3,250 a year, with about $14,000 left to pay over the next four years.
I asked him exactly what he needed to get out of debt, fix his apartment, prepare to bring home his baby, get a reliable car, and have enough money for emergencies. He told me about €13,000 (Euros). Knowing Janko personally, I know he does not want to impose or be a burden to anyone, and he knowingly understated how much he truly needs to get back on his feet. As such, I want to try to raise $30,000 for him and his family.
Throughout my military career I have done my utmost to take care of the people entrusted to me. I personally want to assure each and every one of you: EVERY PENNY raised will be directly sent to Janko and Tatiana, or will cover the cost of shipping baby-related items donated by members of my church to them. I have tried and failed to find a way to do this on my own. At this point, I don’t know if I’ll be able to. But I’ve given him my word that I would take this burden from him. I’ve made a promise, and that’s something I always keep.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Respectfully and sincerely yours,
- William Brinton
Organizer
William Brinton
Organizer
Newport News, VA