FOX 29 is getting results for a local veteran, who is doing anything he can to support his family.
The response since our first story aired Tuesday has been overwhelming. We've gotten phone calls and emails not just from the Philadelphia area, but from as far away as Florida, Alabama and California.
It's clear, Americans want to help a father who served his country.
Less than 24 hours ago, not one person had offered a single penny for an Army medal Bill Shephard put up for sale on eBay.
Then, his story aired on FOX 29.
"When I saw the amount that was posted on eBay," Shephard told Fox 29, "when I saw that it was $2,000, it was just, it was overwhelming."
Shephard spent a year in Iraq serving his country, away from his wife and three young kids. When he returned, he lost his job to the bad economy. Two-and-a-half years later, he still can't find full-time work.
"I've tried until the point where I started my own business and went door to door because, at a certain point, you can't sit around and wait for somebody to call you," Shephard told us. "You have to get active and make some money."
The former Army specialist started a lawn-care business with his old push mower. But Shephard needed better equipment to make more money. So, two days ago he decided to auction off one of his Army medals.
Many of our viewers wouldn't stand for it.
"I have a 32-inch Snapper commercial lawnmower to give Bill for his lawn care business." one e-mail read. "There is no way he should give up something that he worked so hard for."
It was just one of dozens of emails and phone calls we received after our story aired.
"My goal was to get just a little bit of assistance," Shephard explained. "Anything above and beyond that... will definitely be forwarded to other troops that need help."
Shephard has come under some pretty intense criticism from his sergeant, who says that selling the medal is a slap in the face to the military and his fellow soldiers.
Shephard says he never intended for that to be the case, and he's not trying to profit from his service to his country.
It's worth mentioning as well that Shephard did not call us for publicity. We tracked him down after we found out about the eBay auction.
As of late Wednesday afternoon, bidding on eBay stood at $3,000, with five days to go.
By early Thursday morning, the top bid was $5,100.
Click here to place a bid for the medal on eBay
