Finding people who want to help others

Question: While I'm in what I would consider an awkward situation (awkward because I've never had to ask for handouts), my situation has to be very common at least nowadays.

How do I go about finding people who want to help others directly as opposed to those same do-gooders donating to a charity? Most businesses in a position to help someone in their community will only give to a not-for-profit organization which in turn does not offer the type of assistance needed.

I need to replace my nice, reliable car that we used to travel back and forth to xyz City for my husband who has Stage IV cancer to get treatments. I have a few thousand dollars (I can't afford to spend more than $3,000 so I don't lose my house) but I can't find a late model Accord or Camry with low miles for that amount. I know that there are people out there who would like to help people like me (people in very bad predicaments through no fault of their own),
but I don't know how to find them?

For my husband's and my kids' sake, I've set aside my pride to seek help but don't know where to go! How do I find people who want to be a blessing to
others?

Answer: Dear friend, you are definitely in a tough and difficult situation. I tried to find people who are willing to help others directly. I did not have any luck in doing that. I have not come across any place where people register to help someone directly. Everytime, it was through a charity or a non-profit organization. Still, this is no reason for giving up. Most people who want to help feel that the money they donate might not make that big a difference in someone's situation. They may be right. But when lot of like minded do-gooders donate to a charity, that charity can help someone with sizable amount of money.

I know you said that the not-for-profits you contacted did not offer the type of assistance needed. I am sorry to hear that. But, I have come across local charities setting up funds for one of their community member who has fallen on hard times. I think you can try talking to some of the organizations in your community and see if they will be willing to do that. There is a good chance that some local company might sponsor the treatment of your husband. You obviously have a very genuine case and I hope that you are able to find the kind of assistance you need.

I also found an article that talks about medical loans. It might be of some help:
http://ezinearticles.com/?Medical-Loans--What-to-do-When-You-Need-Money-for-Medical-Treatment&id=662336