Through the company’s Beyond Debt Now giveaway, clients’ lives are transformed with a huge financial leg up.
January 27, 2025 (Newton, N.C.) – Beyond Finance, the nation’s largest debt consolidation organization, announced Kenneth Hartman, a 70-year-old North Carolina resident, retired law enforcement officer, and volunteer firefighter, as one of its recent Beyond Debt Now winners. Launched in 2022, the monthly giveaway is one of the ways Beyond Finance goes above and beyond to support clients by paying off a portion — or often the entirety — of their enrolled debt.
Hartman found himself in debt after facing extensive medical and dental expenses tied to long-term health conditions. “In less than a year, I had close to $20,000 in dental work alone,” said Hartman. “None of it was planned, and it all piled up faster than I ever expected.”
Hartman — a first responder for more than four decades — has spent his life serving his community in law enforcement and fire service, including time assisting in the aftermath of the September 11th attacks. Now retired, he continues to serve as a volunteer firefighter in North Carolina.
Despite a lifetime of serving others, asking for help for himself proved hard for Hartman. “I’ve always believed you handle your obligations,” he told our team. “But I reached a point where I realized I needed a plan—and some guidance.”
Through his Beyond Finance program, Hartman reduced an estimated 10-year repayment timeline (based on minimum payments) to 4 years. Now, through the giveaway (a payout from Beyond Finance of over $7,000), Hartman has reached a debt-free* life in only 8 months.
“I just feel blessed by the whole thing,” Hartman told the Beyond Finance team. “You all don’t come across as a big corporation as much as a helping hand. You know, it’s like some people say, ‘I don’t want a handout — I just want a hand up.’”
“We feel so incredibly honored to be able to support Kenneth,” said Lou Antonelli, Chief Operating Officer at Beyond Finance. “He’s spent his life serving others — often quietly and with no recognition. This is exactly what Beyond Debt Now is about: helping good people get a fresh financial start.”
Today, Hartman says the relief has opened the door for what comes next: passing it forward. “I’ve been looking into trying to find some ways I can get back out into “serve mode” — because I like to serve; I like to help people.”
Beyond Debt Now recipients are nominated by Beyond Finance team members who are inspired by clients’ perseverance and commitment to improving their financial futures. Since the initiative launched in 2022, Beyond Debt Now has helped eliminate over $800,000 of debt for more than 60 clients.
To learn more about how Beyond Finance helps clients eliminate debt and reclaim their financial futures, visit www.beyondfinance.com.
About Beyond Finance, LLC
Beyond Finance, LLC is the nation’s largest debt consolidation company. In its commitment to providing clients with a personalized approach to move beyond debt, Beyond Finance delivers simple, transparent solutions that help consumers lower monthly payments, reduce the impact of interest, and reach a debt-free life sooner. Beyond Finance holds an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and was awarded three ConsumerAffairs “Buyer’s Choice Awards” in 2025 for Best Value, Best Customer Service, and Best Overall Process within its category. Beyond Finance has offices in Chicago, Atlanta, San Diego, and Houston. For more information, visit www.beyondfinance.com.
*Debt-free refers to eligible debts serviced by Beyond Finance and not mortgage, car payments, or similar.