jeffmoss26
Well-known member
This group is truly amazing. What a great guy to be giving two toolboxes to some very deserving people. I look forward to reading all the stories!
I want that.If Alaska counts as part of the US, I'd like to be considered as a possible candidate for one of the boxes. I'd even be willing to help out with shipping if I won one of the toolboxes and shipping cost was an issue.
I don't have a spectacular garage or shop, but then again I don't really need one because I'm a full time mechanic, and what work I can't get done there usually fits into my small garage at home.
In that light, maybe I'd qualify as a deserving member. For whatever it's worth, I contribute here quite a bit, and I'd hope to think that a look at my posting history and some of the threads in Free Parking would show that. Though really I could care less about posting history and forum contributions because I could give those up any day if I had to.
What I couldn't give up is what I do outside of the forum...
I'm a father to three boys aged 9, 5 and a half, and 4. That keeps me busy enough as is, but to say that's all I do outside of work would be a huge understatement. All three of my boys play hockey, and during the winter I spend about 25 hours a week outside of my normal working hours involved with that. I head coach not one, but two teams (an 8U hockey based learn to skate program, and an 6U mite level developmental program), and assistant coach a 10U squirt hockey program (skating coach for players that are a bit behind developmentally compared to their peers). I also deal with fundraising and donations, and volunteer my time to run concession stands, run the time clock, score keep, penalty box, or essentially anything that needs to be done. Oh yeah, we do soccer in the summer to the same extent as well...
I don't limit my time outside of kids, work, or hockey to sitting on the couch either. Because my work schedule is 4x 10 hour days, I have Fridays off, so I spend around 4 hours each Friday volunteering at my oldest two kid's school both in the classroom, and on field trips. It's always interesting, and I could probably name 80% of the kids in both of my kids classrooms. I also get a nifty VIP (very involved parent) tag to wear around the school.![]()
My wife is a social work supervisor for Office of Children's Services (the state agency), and she's on call 24/7 every three weeks for a week at a time. Not only is she busy with that, but we get together with her office and put together a program for all of the kids in foster or adoptive homes, and collect donated Christmas and birthday presents for them so they'll have something to look forward to on the holidays, even if the rest of their life isn't completely stable. I think currently we collect presents and donations for around 150 kids each year, ranging from gift cards, to stuffed animals, games, and even a set of skates and skating lessons for the 230lb 13 year old who said that's something he's always wanted to do, and was never given the chance.
We also try to put together holiday meals for the police and fire departments, for the crews on shift during holidays such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, etc. for those guys (and gals) that will miss meals with their families because of scheduling. I figure I work on all of their equipment at work, and have come to know them all and regard most of them as friends, so it's the least we could do as a family. My kids also get a huge kick out of being able to visit the police and fire stations and hang out with some of the crews that are on-shift and working.
All that, and somehow I find time to post here as well...
I am 20 years old, an active duty E3 in the marine corps. My favorite place to be is in my garage, working on my car. I have a single car garage and I love snap on tools. I use them at work and know there is no equal. I used to get up every saturday and troll local garage sales for old forgotten SO tools sometimes I would come up with a combination wrench or a few sockets if i was lucky. However now I have had to abandon my saturday morning ritual because I work saturdays. The one time I hit the g-sale jackpot was when I found my pride and joy, KR488 cart with an end cab bolted to the side. It was pretty rough, covered in junk, rust and grime but I cleaned her up and am slowly restoring it to its former glory. There are pictures on my page. Im not one to offer up a sob story but the truth is I don't get payed much and cant afford to buy craftsman tools, much less Snap on. I am convinced that my calling in life is to fix things weather its my wifes old clock or aircraft for the marine corps I am a gearhead at heart. If your looking for a place your box will be appreciated and taken care of, Im your man. This is an awesome thing your doing.
-Joel
Oh boy...could be me. Wouldn't be the first time I've been described like that. Fairly avid would be a fair description.
Have we met on another forum?![]()

Umm! OMG. Is this NOT the most humble group of people you have ever met. I guy offers up 2 of Snap ons best roll cabs, and all we say is, naw i dont deserve it but give it to this guy or that guy. I sit hear reading in total amazement. And to say I am very PROUD of the members here. I am glad I belong. Also, I want to tip my hat to all the members. It just goes to show how all classes of people can come together for the betterment of all. 07forester, YOU ROCK!!. I believe, the time you spent with your grandfather instilled the foundation of values which guide you today. I would like to thank him and pay my respects.
Good Luck to all the entrants.

My husband enjoys coming to Garage Journal in the few quiet moments of the early morning or late evening just as the day is starting or ending. It is a way for him to relax and have some time for himself and I'm glad he's found a site that he finds interesting and is a place for him to learn new things about his favorite place in the house: the garage. When he told me about this contest this morning I suggested he enter and he immediately said that he is not deserving of winning anything, especially a tool box. I decided to register and enter on his behalf because I think this is one thing he's wrong about.
My honey is the most awesome man I've ever met (and I'm not just saying that because he's my husband). In fact, people who have known him since he was a kid have commented to me on how they've never met someone like him. He truly is an upstanding person. I've never met someone so selfless and hardworking in all my life. My life has not been easy to say the least, but I'll spare the details because this isn't about me. I'll just say that growing up I never expected to get married because I figured nobody would want to spend their life with someone so damaged, but my husband has not only pledged to love me in a way that I need loved, he does it each and every day without failing. He's helped me heal and has made me a whole person just by being himself - a patient, caring, and selfless man that is able to be tough and strong, yet sweet and kind all at once. He works hard every day, leaving for work in the dark and arriving home long after the sun has set. A long shift at a grimey iron plant is no defeat for his kind heart - he arrives home tired and sore and without a complaint on his lips because he is so happy to provide for his family. In the couple hours before it's time to sleep he makes as much progress as he can on whatever project is most important at the time. Right now it's pulling and fixing the motor on our truck. He's been slowly and steadily working on it so that we can have a decent vehicle and it looks like he'll be finishing up soon. Despite the fact that our old house is in need of a lot of work, there's always something to be done on our vehicles, and he doesn't get a lot of time for himself, he is always there when a friend needs him. Without thought he'll put his own projects aside and help a friend. Last year on his 25th birthday I figured he deserved a nice steak dinner to celebrate being so awesome for another year. But, we skipped it so he could put flooring in a friend's house so their family could get moved into their home the next day. We ended up eating pancakes with their whole family and he was just as satisfied as he would have been with the steak dinner.
I would post a picture of the garage so he could have a shot at most deserving garage, but I'm afraid I would embarrass my husband too much. It's a 2.5 stall attached garage that is way too small for all the work he does in it. Somehow he manages to maintain our cars in there despite the fact that he has a small amount of tool storage, the walls are only partially finished with more insulation showing than actual wall covering, there is no heat, and there is a project truck occupying one stall - the bed of which has been temporarily converted to an area for vehicle parts to hang out while he's working on our vehicles. I know he'd like to put some work into the garage to make it a more efficient work zone - and I must say he's done very well with what is currently there - but time and money never seem to be there for it to happen. I know he'd like to be able to restore his 64 GMC some day and I'd like to help him fix up his garage so he can make that happen sooner than later. A new garage and a new box would be a perfect start to the new year for him
I wish I had time to tell you about all the great things this man does for the people he knows, but it would take a lifetime. His story isn't that of the downfalls in our lives, but rather how he carries us through them and protects us. I know there are a lot of stories on this thread, and I just wanted to tell you one about an amazing man in Minnesota.
And for David - When you read this I hope it serves as a reminder of how much I love you and how amazing I think you are. I love you Honey!!
Okay, it never hurts to give anything a good try.
I'm 21 and have been working towards a full-time position in the automotive industry. When I enrolled in my local community college I was so excited at the new opportunities that lay ahead. Thanks to some great instructors who really lit a fire under me, during one semester I enrolled in 21 credits at the community college. I really wanted to complete the program, do well and learn as much as the instructors could feed me. I absolutely loved the schedule; morning classes, night classes and the general education courses taken online for better flexibility. When I wasn’t in classes, I would work part-time at a local municipality as a mechanic’s assistant. The job was great and I love it to this day. The fleet is so diverse and keeps me on my toes. Besides the heavy equipment, the alternative fueled vehicles are probably the best part(s) of my days. The job has only been part-time for the past three years. This allows me to pay for tuition and some tools here and there. This had taught me a few things. One, learn to budget because I have a limited income and must choose between another class, some tools or just save the money. Two, take the job as an awesome learning opportunity. I may not bring home as much bread as working at other places but the experience is invaluable. Besides, school comes first at this point. I finished my A.A.S. with high honors in May 2011. In April, yes April I started taking weekend classes at Truman College in the city of Chicago through SIU. Every weekend, SIU sends an instructor up and teaches the same curriculum as they would in Carbondale. This allows me to work 24 hours per week during the week and attend classes fulltime on the weekends, Sat-Sun 8-5. While attending classes and work, I’ve been able to obtain nine ASE certifications. (Four automotive, five heavy truck) Thankfully I have an aunt who understands the importance of education and has paid for my ASEs. Like I said before, I can’t get my hands on enough information. The one thing I try to keep on my mind is this: The more education I can get, the better position I can be in when a full-time job opportunity presents itself. I am really blessed for all the opportunities that I have been given but I’ve worked hard for them. I will finish the weekend courses in March of 2012. By summer 2012 I’ll have a BS in Automotive Service Management. Spring 2012 will be a trying semester as I have to take 21 credits again. I look forward to the spring semester. Thanks for your time. Gotta gear up for snowplow season, installing plows and mag sprayers!
Ok Ive been hesitant to enter but a green snap on box has drawn me in, Ill start im 38 married with 2 kids, My oldest son who is 9 is on the Autism spectrum, so he requires alot of therapy and medicines, (that most Insurances dont cover) Im located in Michigan and have always been employed in the auto industry basically since I was 16. Well needless to say I am recently unemployed because of the down turn in the economy and the sale of the company I work for 3 times in the last 2 years. Hence the reason i buy and sell alot of tools to pay the bills and the expenses my son requires, he has recently started to be curious as to what "dad does in the garage?" so because of the therapy hes slowly coming out of his shell and is a flourishing General Education student at school. IM not asking for charity but If I won a box i would pass my matco predator box onto another member of your choice or would sell it and donate all the money from the sale to http://www.autismspeaks.org This would be at your choice, I live close enough that i would come pick up the box personally and say thanks. Im just a hardworking dad who wants the best for his kids and breaks my back to provide for them. I am currently trying to go back to wrenching on a midnight shift so That i can be home during the day so I can be there when my boys leave for school and get home. If you could ask anyof my friends or neighbors they would tell you im the guy who helps everybody and doesnt ask for anything in return. as far as which box Im not picky either one would be perfect. so Id leave that up to you. If you chose me as a winner please dont do it because of my son I have never asked for anything because of him if you wanted to give it to him that would be fine as he would fill it with legos in a day. Even if Im not chosen I urge all of the people who read this to visit the website I posted above to learn about autism and its signs. Not all of the kids who suffer from it are like "rain man"
I guess ill give this a shot, although some people have wayyyy better stories.
My names Kevin. I was an army mechanic (598th Maintenance Company, 1225 Combat Support Sustainment, based out of camp hero ). I served in Afghanistan one tour, kinda wish i could have done a second because the guys i was with truely changed my life. I had all the tools supplied to be, and upon returning home i looked for a job in what i knew best, mechanics. I had an ok amount of tools and i found a $8.87/hour starting job at a local auto parts store. Not the most "preferred job". Its actually pretty lame. I currently have some basics wrenches,screwdrivers, a complete 3/8 socket set and vice grips. I wondered why one day i got such a low job and talked to some guys around the shop, with my experience which i though was ok but still not the best am i getting 8 an hour? Some guys told me "dude your tools" they say its like a resume in the auto industry. Which i guess is true if you think about it. So i went out the next week and bought a harbor freight cart (4 drawer model funds were a little low for the 5 model) after buying the cart i bought a few more tools. Still not a whole lot (you could carry everything in a pillowcase haha). After a weekend of browsing craftsman, and snap on stuff i had $500 left to spend. Sunday rools around and i bought a green pick set from snap on, craftsman screwdrivers and some other stuff and at 8:10am i got a call to come down to work. I found this odd seing as to how i was off and the place didnt open for another two hours. I pull up to find the right side of the building burned. My first thought was "s**t thats the side i work on". I go in to fine that my brand new little cart was no more. So there goes all my tools except my pick set and screwdrivers at home. So i lost the job at that place since its no more and i slowly am building a tool collection to try and get another mechanics job. Lately ive been doing mobile mechanics jobs cramming my jacks, and tools into my little mazda and doing small jobs here and there. I currently work out of an old milk crate. I dont make alot with the jobs i do, infact i just about brake even so a toolbox wont happen for a very long time. I appreciate you guys taking the time to read this and hope you all have a great sunday today,
Kevin
Having no children of my own, you (and other men in this thread) are who i'd assume to model myself after when I do have children.
Wow...That is very generous! I'm also a firm believer in the pay-it-forward philosophy.
I am on my 3d deployment, am in Afghanistan and in charge of 50 men. We've got it better than most, dodging rocket attacks, but only suffering minor injuries.
My tour will be up in a few months and I plan on remodeling my garage when I get back to the States. I have been spending my downtime getting ideas for the project here on the Garage Journal. Part of my plan is to pick up a cheap box on HF. Only in my dreams will I own either one of the Snap On boxes you are giving away.
I am sure there are folks more deserving than me and who ever wins will be very lucky and thankful.
Again my hat is off to you! Hope your generosity comes back to you ten fold!
Well, it wouldn't be a lamest garage entry without my submission. So lame, no one even commented on the thread.
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Here is the after shot. Since its a rental, I did not want to install a bunch of stuff drilled into the walls. A sheet of plywood I already had gave me a makeshift pegboard to put things on. I did have to buy a $5 box of screws, though, and a magnet strip. I really like that knipex pliers wrench.
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Low budget screwdriver holder. Most of them are made in USA Stanleys. Not as cool as ones I've seen on this site, but I'm happy with them. Really like that Lisle clip remover.
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Yep, that's 2 restaurant gastronorm pans. They were given to me for free. I put the electronic stuff and a few really low use stuff inside of it. Not the best, but it works.
****!
You can see the rest of the pics in the thread.
But seriously, I like Keving's story. Count this as a vote for him.
When I'm finished with grad school, I can stop all my work, jobs pressure and school. Holy ****, its damn hectic now. I'm just hoping that it will be over soon. Most of the time, I'm just repairing things to save money, considering how I'm underpaid a few pay grades (thanks, "student" designation). Luckily i wont get fired or let go because I'm going the work of a few people, while keeping up with academic pressures.
If this was a contest for a relaxing break or a device to stop time for a week, I'd punch myself in the face for that.I want that.
Good luck with your contest. Keving's story is pretty compelling.
Ooh. Actually, this guy might top it
Wow. What a story.
Kevin, again as with every other servicemen in the thread, I appreciate you for protecting me, my family and our country. You guys are the REAL soldiers in life.
Sounds to me, you need some tools AND a new cart/box?
Being our first garage entry, yours is in need of a box!

No, I just recall reading on here that you were building a pretty extensive switching setup (i think).
FYI, my business now is high end home and car audio. We deal with a lot of illinois "famous" and the high end dealerships in the greater chicago area. Maybe if you're ever in town you could check out our operation.![]()

Switching setup. Yup, that's me. Went in to help with this thing. They don't solder at the shop, just crimp and go. When I saw the small terminals on the switches I offered to solder it all for them so there would be no reliability issues.
Based on what you're saying, if I saw your shop I'd be looking for work.![]()
. I'm always looking to hire good people... 
this is just awesome man. Hats off to you for giving back and hats off to some of the stories on here. I have only read the first pages so far but this is just to cool. I am not sure if it has already been mentioned yet or not but is there a way we can set up something to get you a bit of money towards shipping charges or something of that nature? do u have paypal? I am not a rich man but I would be happy to send a few bucks and if a few others did the same it would make me feel like i at least did something to add to your generosity. I am a firm believer in karma and this will come back to you and your family my friend. This will undoubtedly turn into a book of a thread so pm if you will with some paypal info and or updates. thanks
Being our first garage entry, yours is in need of a box!
Ahh, I actually intended mine to be a garage entry, I just thought a little background on me would be good as well.
I attached a picture of my current lower box. I rescued it from a friends shop. The thing was overloaded and the casters were hanging on for dear life. After a little bit of repairs and some elbow grease I have a descent functioning toolbox (I was able to scrounge around and come up with 4 swivel casters and let me just say that those make a toolbox squirmy like you would not believe).
Within the next few weeks I will be making a new paypal acct specifically for people who want to chip in. That money will go towards a third option, like a roll cart.