Original Air Date:
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Episode 2 - "Fast and Furious":
The remaining 9 contestants found themselves in Denver for the "Fast and Furious" challenge. Oprah communicated via satellite that they had to find their own person to help, and had to pull it off in 48 hours with the $4800 plus money they were able to raise on their own.Nate reminded the contestants that they would be judged on creativity, leadership, presentation and accomplishment. Each giver climbed into a new Ford Edge and went on their way.
Eric, Stephen and Cameron Team Together to Give Big:
Eric, Stephen and Cameron decided to team together, even though it wasn't a requirement, and use their teamwork and $14,400 to orchestrate the biggest give. The team decided to help children and was told that one of the oldest orphanages is in Denver - The Denver Children's Home.
The director of the children's home gave the team a tour of the home which they found was in need of repair. The home works to fundraise 1 million dollars a year just to keep the doors open, but can't afford luxuries like a playground for the kids. The team got to work with the staff to start raising money and collecting products.
Brandi's Denver Big Give:
Brandi started her challenge out in the local library to use the resources and find someone who needs help. Brandi was given Mary's story by a librarian - Mary is a single mother working on her master's degree who was experiencing financial trouble and had recently totaled her car. Brandi's goal for Mary was to pay off her tuition and organize a surprise for the family.
When Brandi's plan to help Mary wasn't going well, she decided to take a trip to Target to put together care packages to take to homeless shelters. Giving many little gives instead of one big give became Brandi's new focus.
Angelo's Denver Big Give:
Having a military background, it was important for Angelo to help a soldier, so he contacted the local American Legion and was directed to Jason, who had been injured while in the Army.
Jason hurt his shoulder while active in the Army and though he had surgery, he was still unable to work - making paying the bills and taking care of his children a struggle.
Angelo sat down with the local TGI Friday's manager to organize a party for Jason to raise money for the family.
Carlana's Denver Big Give:
Carlana started her challenge out by speaking to a person on the street, one who she felt she was destined to find. Roger shared with Carlana that his 16 year old daughter had special needs and was undiagnosed. Blair has trouble eating, communicating, walking and meeting any of her own basic needs.
Carlana went to Roger's home where she met his wife Beverly, Blair, and older brother Brice. The family has experienced financial trouble with Blair's care and don't have the resources they need - they would also like to be able to send Brice to college. Carlana began raising money to help the family with their needs.
Sheg's Denver Big Give:
Sheg visited the Denver Health Care Center for his challenge where he met a number of families who had newborns but financially struggled. Many of the mothers in the center had to carry their baby home in a towel and had to ride the bus because they didn't have a ride.
Sheg took the opportunity to hand out his $4800 in smaller increments to families to buy diapers or supplies. Sheg listened to everyone's story and was able to give them around $400 each to help with their medical needs.
Sheg also helped a woman who had bipolar disorder by paying her rent for 1 year - eliminating her fear of becoming homeless.
Rachael's Denver Big Give:
Rachael chose the Empowerment Program in Denver as her challenge, an organization that helps women once they get out of jail or have HIV or drug problems get on their feet. The woman all have limited incomes and don't have the money to get out of the home and have any fun. Rachael wanted to do something for the women that they wouldn't forget - she organized a spa day and night out for dinner for all of the HIV woman in the Empowerment Program.
Kim's Denver Big Give:
Kim teamed up with the Denver Broncos and their Boys and Girls Club chapter to help the children, ages 6-18, who experience drugs, violence and gangs in their neighborhoods.
Kim contacted KYGO 98.5, the top country music station in Denver to reach out to listeners in the community for donations. Kim wanted to make an impact on the 300 children at the club and collect rewards for the upcoming homework auction. Kim was amazed at how the public reacted so quickly to her request.
Oprah's Big Give Twist:
Oprah sent the contestants a text to alert them of their challenge twist - the givers had 24 hours to give away the Ford Edge they were driving and to give it to a deserving person.
The Big Give Reveals:
Eric, Stephen and Cameron: The team was able to organize a huge reveal for the Denver Children's Home! $25,000 worth of office furniture, agreements with contractors for renovations, $14,000 in lighting, donated playground equipment plus more added up to a total of $293,000! The men also gave their cars to the directors of the home to continue providing for the children. The judges were very impressed with the teamwork the men had and also the amount of donations they were able to secure.
Brandi: Brandi dropped off her care packages from Target to homeless shelters before giving her reveal to Mary. Brandi was able to give Mary $2,000 towards her school plus the new Ford Edge! The judges questioned if Brandi found the right person or just chose someone in a rush.
Angelo: Angelo brought Jason and his family to the party at Friday's where he gave them $4,600 plus the proceeds from the night's sales. Angelo decided to give the Edge to the restaurant manager Jake instead of Jason and his family. The judges felt that Angelo should have given the car to the family he was helping, or to someone more deserving.
Carlana: Carlana visited Roger and his family at their home to present them with $5,000 towards an assessment with a specialist and a communication devise for Blair plus a $5,850 to help Brice with college. Carlana was using a car equipped with hand controls, so she gave her car to a man just getting out of rehab after becoming paralyzed in a car accident. The judges were impressed by Carlana and the way she gave the car away.
Sheg: Sheg gave many small gifts and therefore didn't have a large reveal. He did, however, give the car to the Denver Health Care Center to help transport mothers and their babies. The judges were pleased to see that Sheg touched many people.
Rachael: Rachael spent the day with the women from the program getting spa treatments and out to dinner. The women shared that they felt like someone cared that they existed. Rachael shared with the judges that her challenge wasn't about the money, but about making the women feel special.
Kim: Kim gathered the children from the Boys and Girls Club of Denver to have a pizza party and present them with their gifts for their upcoming homework auction. The gifts were presented by 3 players from the Denver Broncos! Kim shared with the judges that she was touched deeply by the kids she helped.
Contestant Eliminated: Angelo
