Original Air Date:
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Episode 4 - "The $100,000 Giveaway":
Nate and the 7 remaining contestants started the show on a Miami, Florida dock where they were met by the billionaire Maloof brothers, owners of the Sacramento Kings and Palms Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. The brothers wanted to be a part of the Big Give so they worked up a big challenge - "The $100,000 Giveaway" with $700,000 of their own money! The contestants were given 24 hours and $100,000 to give big - but the rules of the challenge stated that they couldn't give away cash, no more than $500 could go to 1 person and not more than $10,000 at 1 place.
Nate challenged the contestants to find the most dramatic, exciting and creative ways to spend the Maloof brother's money. The goal of the challenge was to return to the headquarters empty handed. For the mission, teams were not permitted and because the challenge was so big, 2 contestants were going to go home.
Rachael's $100,000 Giveaway:
Rachael started out her 24 hours by heading to Target where she gave 20 shoppers 5 minutes to spend $500 which used her first $10,000. A father/daughter pair who went on the shopping spree were living in a shelter which made Rachael feel like the money was going to the right people.
Rachael then contacted the Christopher Ricardo Cystic Fibrosis Foundation who were having a fashion show fundraiser that night. Rachael was told that the children the foundation helps need equipment for their physical activity and air purifiers. Rachael was able to make it to the event and announce $10,000 worth of donated equipment.
Rachael also helped a program that works to keep juveniles from returning to crime.
At judging, Rachael revealed that she spent $55,000 of the $100,000, admitting she had a tough time during the challenge. Rachael was among the last 2 contestants to open their envelope to see if they were going home.
Eric's $100,000 Giveaway:
Eric began his challenge by heading to a fire station to ask what the community needed. Captain Rick shared the story of Ralph White, one of the first black officers on the Miami police force whose wake was being held that day. Eric wanted to help the family with funeral costs, but when he arrived at the wake there were not enough people present to pay $10,000 towards the expense.
Eric moved on to help a school for teen mothers who attend classes while pregnant and bring their babies with them after birth. Going shopping for supplies for the school's 150 girls caused Eric to miss the funeral for Ralph White.
Running out of time, Eric resorted to buying gift cards from a number of stores and giving them to the police athletic club who were going to use them for little league players and other needs around the community.
In total, Eric shared that he had spent over $70,000 of the $100,000, but it was between Rachael and Eric to see who would be the second person to go home.
Stephen's $100,000 Giveaway:
Stephen began his mission by contacting his father who lived in the area, a relationship he just started to build in the last few years. While waiting to hear from his dad, Stephen took the principal of Miami Edison Middle School shopping for $10,000 worth of supplies for the kids. Stephen was also able to purchase new appliances for a battered women's shelter.
When Stephen teamed up with his dad, the pair went to 4 different stores and purchased $30,000 worth of appliances, computers, ipods and more and went door-to-door in an impoverished neighborhood handing out the goods until they were gone.
Stephen was the only contestant to spend all $100,000 of the Maloof money and touched a number of families and programs in the community. Because of his success with the challenge, Stephen was the only contestant who didn't receive an envelope and was awarded an outright trip to the next city.
Kim's $100,000 Giveaway:
Kim started her giveaway by heading to a gas station where she purchased all of the customer's gas and products for 10 minutes, spending $2,000. Trying to find the mall, Kim became lost and wasted much of her day. Kim finally found a pet supply store, wanting to help an animal shelter.
After getting lost on the way to drop off the supplies, Kim wanted to give up, but after a call from the store saying they would pick her up, Kim was able to complete her day - but she revealed to the judges she only spent $16,500 of the $100,000 and felt terrible that she wasn't able to help more people. Kim was the first to find out that she would be going home.
Cameron's $100,000 Giveaway:
Cameron found a way to get around the no cash rule by switching some of the cash into travelers checks. After, Cameron went to an auto repair shop where he was able to help a number of people.
Cameron gave each of the mechanics $500 in travelers checks as well as paying $500 towards each of the open tickets the shop had. One man came into the store with his son, and the boy hugged Cameron saying it was the best day of his life - Oprah shared later that it was her favorite moment of the show. Cameron also went on to buy computers for girls living in foster care. Finding more ways to help, Cameron purchased a safety boat for an organization that helps paraplegic children with water sports.
Overall, Cameron was able to spend $67,000 of the $100,000 and was told that he had great ideas for ways to spend the money by the judges.
Brandi's $100,000 Giveaway:
Brandi began her giveaway by helping a program that works with young adults that have been released from state care at 18. After being removed from foster care, many kids are on their own but this program helps them get on their feet until they are 23. Brandi was able to get the program $10,000 worth of bus and train passes to help with transportation. Brandi also helped people with disabilities and purchased all of the flowers a family was selling from their car and passed them out to people driving by - Brandi said it was the best time making so many people happy.
Brandi was able to spend $65,000 of the $100,000 and the judges were impressed by how many people she was able to touch even in small ways.
Sheg's $100,000 Giveaway:
Sheg wanted to help people with their basic needs - food, shelter and healthcare. Heading straight to a supermarket in an impoverished neighborhood, Sheg paid for groceries for the first 100 people to check out at the store. Sheg also worked to help kids at a daycare. Spending $80,000 of the $100,000, the judges felt that Sheg really touched a core area of need and was able to nourish the community.
Contestants Eliminated: Kim and Eric
