"We are pleased with the community's response to helping us find people in need and we hope we will continue to receive this same community support throughout the voting process," said Jason Borup, CEO, Sydney Financial Group. "We are thrilled that we will be able to help out one of these wonderful families."

We are pleased with the community's response to helping us find people in need and we hope we will continue to receive this same community support throughout the voting process

Excerpts from the Finalist's Nominations:

Finalist #1: Janie from Riverton, UT
"Janie, her husband Marco and their toddler Gabriella had a beautiful, happy life together with much to look forward to. However, over the last 10 months several traumatic events have left them with a very sad and unfortunate situation. Marco has been diagnosed with a progressive and incurable form of brain cancer called Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) which has left him unable to even function let alone have a job. He has been doing chemotherapy and radiation therapy and has undergone 2 brain surgeries. Sadly, these procedures will not cure his cancer; they will only prolong his life so he can spend additional time with his family.

Janie has been taking on all of the responsibilities of home and family, as well as caring for Marco. I can see her sadness and exhaustion consuming her more and more as days go by. Janie and Marco have never hesitated to help others when they have had the means. I can't think of a better way to repay them than to take away the stress of struggling to pay their mortgage. This would ease Janie's mind so she can spend quality time with her family until the inevitable. Thank you."

Update: Marco passed away on June 27, two weeks after being nominated.

Finalist #2: Lorinda, from Bountiful, UT
"Lorinda is a young woman who has given birth to six children. Her youngest is just two weeks old. Lorinda's first child was killed at four months old. She had two more sons before her first husband was diagnosed with cancer. He died at the age of 30. Lorinda was 26. She picked herself back up and got married to her second husband Mike. Unfortunately, Mike has just recently also been diagnosed with cancer.
She is loosing the brightness in her eyes. She is looking beaten and down. I would love for you to consider helping Lorinda and her family. They could really use some good news!"

Finalist #3: Melodee Olsen from Wellsville, UT
"Melodee is a young widow with four children. Melodee and her husband Chad had started the American Dream of running a small business. Eventually, Melodee and Chad could no longer compete with the bigger businesses and they were left with a huge debt. Having integrity, they chose to not take out bankruptcy. It took fifteen hard years to pay off the loan. The couple saved money by living with their parents until the debt was paid.

Chad died of cancer at age 42. Melodee now has a home that is half-finished. Because of an automobile accident she is unable to work or earn money to finish the home. She is under tremendous stress due to her inability to gain employment while healing fully from the injuries sustained.

Melodee helps many members of her community. She is the one whom people go to for public support of community projects and is a strong, smart, talented woman. It would be wonderful if she could enjoy the benefits of the generous Sydney Financial Group Award which would allow her to retain her home and experience the All American Dream of home ownership."

About Sydney Financial Group
Sydney Financial Group specializes in helping people pay off their homes faster by using a new technique pioneered in Australia known as a mortgage checking account.

A mortgage checking account (MCA) leverages your monthly income by automatically applying it toward your home loan balance until you need it for other things. This reduces the daily interest that accumulates on your home loan. Using an MCA, people can pay down consumer debt, pay off mortgages faster and build up retirement funds.