Oprah's Big Give Comes to Denver - The Affirmation Spot for Monday March 10, 2008

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What Ray's reading right now:

April and I are reading A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose

. This is the latest Oprah's Book Club selection. Oprah and the author Eckhart Tolle are hosting a 10-week online course covering this book. The next session is Monday March 10 at 9:00 eastern, 8:00 central time in the U.S. This week's session covers chapter 2. You can register for free at Oprah.com

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After last week's first episode of Oprah's Big Give, many critics expressed discomfort with people in need being "used" as part of a competitive reality TV show. Episode 2 continued to prove the critics fears are misplaced. This week people all over Denver benefited from the giving generated by the show. Real people received real help for real needs.Big Give rolled into the Mile High City and taped the episode under tight secrecy in July, according the The Rocky Mountain News.The nine remaining contestants had 48 hours to find someone in need in the Denver metro and "give big or go home." With one giving experience under their belts, the contestants really cut loose to truly demonstrate their passion for and commitment to helping others.Contestants Stephen Paletta (Contractor), Eric Klein (Model), and Cameron Johnson (self-made millionaire) teamed up to raise over $283,000 for the Denver Childrens' Home. The donations included a new playground and cash and contractors' time and materials to remodel the home.Contestant Kim Prentiss worked with the Denver Broncos to identify Boys and Girls Clubs as her charity for the week. In addition to donating iPods, computers, and other goodies, she secured a football autographed (and delivered) by Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler and two of his Bronco teammates. The ball was to be given to one deserving child based on school performance.

Olusegun "Sheg" Aranmolate practiced old-fashion giving by finding individuals in need and handing out money to help them with those needs. He probably made a personal difference in the lives of more people than any other contestant this week.

However, the contestant of the week has to go to TV producer Carlana Stone. Stone found a family in need by talking to people on the street. Her target family included Blair, a 16-year-old girl, struggling with disabilities that made it impossible for her to verbally communicate with others and her older brother Bryce needing financial help for his goal to attend college. In two days, Stone raised enough money to help the family purchase an electronic device that will allow Blair to speak to her family for the first time and additional money to be used towards helping Bryce go to college.This week's big twist came when Oprah asked the contestants to give away the Ford Edge they had been driving. Carlana, herself a paraplegic, had a car specially equipped. She was able to donate her car to a paraplegic man just leaving the hospital after recovering from his injuries. The man lacked the means to purchase his own car.Two weeks into the show and hundreds of people already helped by complete strangers on a mission to do good. I suppose the show's critics can and will continue to attack Big Give. Let them! Real people are receiving real help for real needs. Don't look now, but Big Give might just change the image of reality TV.Be peaceful Be prosperous!RayThe Affirmation Spot.com