From www.ocregister.com...
Rachael Ray gives $50,000 to Anaheim foster dad
Talk show host Rachel Ray invites Joseph Democko to New York for a chat - and a $50,000 surprise.
By GWENDOLYN DRISCOLL
THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Anaheim foster dad Joseph Democko thought he'd have to put his dreams on hold to take care of his sister's children. The 24-year-old whose struggle to foster, then adopt his three nephews, was first profiled in The Orange County Register last spring, may not need to defer those dreams much longer.
On Tuesday Democko and his three children – Chris, 6, Anthony, 5, and George, 3 – appeared on a taped version of "The Rachael Ray Show" for a chat – and a surprise.
The Democko family had already been taken on a $3,000 shopping spree by Valerie Bertinelli, a correspondent for the show. Family friends, flown to New York along with the Demockos, received $1,000 'thank-yous' as well, courtesy of American Express Gift Cards.
Ray also prevailed upon Democko's employer, Irvine-based Med-Source Diagnostics Inc., a medical billing company, to raise the 24-year-old's salary from $14 to $16 an hour. The company threw in a $1,000 Christmas bonus.
Then there was the year of free dinners kicked in by HomeBistro.com, a New York food delivery company.
Ray saved the best for last. With Joseph sitting beside her, an assistant arrived carrying a box. Inside the box was money – $50,000 in all.
"When I first read about Joe it was one of those stories where we knew we had to help out even if it was in some small way," said Ray after the show's taping. "He has put his life on the back burner to give these wonderful kids the life and upbringing they deserve."
On the set, Democko fought back tears. He said Bertinelli had to pinch him twice.
"Unbelievable," Democko said Monday from his office in Irvine. "I still don't believe I deserve it."
Democko says the attention he and his family have received since the Register's article ran has occasioned some gentle teasing by friends and colleagues.
"My boss actually calls me Mr. Hollywood and he swears I'm going to go there," Democko said. But I'm still Joey. Nothing's changed but this is going to give me some financial stability for the kids."
