This week Oprah’s Big Give moved to Denver.   While I’m glad they got out of Los Angles, I almost wonder if United Airlines is a big sponsor and that we will see most of United’s hubs as the destinations.

Today I had to drive from Indianapolis to Nashville for work and it had me thinking, I really hope that at some point the show heads to rural America.   There are a lot of folks in rural America that could use some help.   I’d like to see a small independent farm gain a bit of support from the ‘œcity folk’ on the show.  

Show spoilers to follow….

This week’s show was different from the first.   When they land in Denver, they are all in a park and Oprah is on a big screen TV.   She continues to say that they are all going to be given $4800 and 48 hours to give big!   They are not told who they have to give to, but rather they are set free to find needy people on their own.     For their transportation around the Mile High City they all are given a Ford Edge.   Later the teams receive a text message that they are also to give away this car.   It made me wonder if the IRS is watching and if they will be following up with the receivers to ensure that they are filing these items on their tax return.   Boy do I wish for a Fair Tax world someday!

Eric, Stephen, and Cameron ‘“
Three of the men decided to team up and collectively pool their money and resources.   They learned that one of the oldest orphanages in Denver was the Denver Children’s Home.   This collective pooling was the right thing to do.   This team ended up raising almost $300,000 in donated goods, services, and money for the orphanage.   It made me think of goals and working with others to achieve a greater good.

Sheg ‘“
Next we had Sheg.   His idea was to help out as many people as possible in the time he had available.   He makes a stop at Denver Health’s Newborns in Need, to give parents a break in some of the financial burdens that they have been having.     Sheg seemed to have helped quite a few people with his money.  

Rachael ‘“
Rachael immediately thought of helping women who are living with HIV.   She found a Denver empowerment house and thought of giving these women a day of pampering.   In what was one of the more emotional moments of the show, she helped to increase the self esteem of these women.  

Brandi ‘“
Brandi seemed to have some challenges this week.   In trying to locate someone of need, she went to the library.   By speaking with one of the librarians she learns of a woman, Mary Henry, that has had a sting of bad luck.   Mary’s house is being foreclosed on, she is unemployed, and she is attending school to get her master’s degree.   While Brandi eventually gives Mary the Ford Edge, I couldn’t help but think that this what she really needed was a complete life adjustment.   There are times in all of our lives where we need to make a bigger change to get ahead.   If I were Mary, I would have focused less on my master’s program and more on saving my financial life.   By taking a semester off, in order to downsize her house and avoid foreclosure, she could finish school later in a much better situation.   Now she’ll have to pay gift tax to the IRS for that nice car she was given.

Kim ‘“
I was not impressed with Kim on the first episode, but she really turned things around this time.   Kim quickly headed to the Denver Broncos to find out that the Boys and Girls club was a worthy charity.   We then saw Kim on air at a local radio station drumming up donations for a ‘œhomework auction’ for the kids.   With gifts like Ipods, I’m sure these kids will be glad to get their homework done!

Carlana ‘“
Carlana, who was lack-luster on Episode 1, was also able to have a complete redirection.   She found a guy on the street that happened to be raising a special needs daughter named Blair.   Blair has been unable to communicate with her family for her 16 years of life.   Carlana was able to raise enough money that Blair will be able to be fitted with technology that may allow her to communicate with the family.   Carlana, who is wheelchair bound, gave her modified Ford Edge to a guy just out of rehabilitation that recently became wheelchair bound himself.

Angelo ‘“
Finally we have Angelo who wanted to help a military family.   He found Jason who had recently returned from war with an injury and was on disability.   Jason mentioned that he had hurt his shoulder and had recently had surgery.   He was not able to work and was close to losing his house.   While I don’t know all of the specifics, we do see Jason holding up his kid in a future clip and I couldn’t help but wonder about his shoulder.   It also seemed like his injury had no effect on his ability to speak or use his brain, but he still chose to refrain from work and risk losing his home.   Angelo had a fundraiser at a local restaurant to help support Jason, but I couldn’t help but think of the missed opportunity.   I would have probably found Jason some job training that did not involve his shoulder.   Angelo gave his car to the restaurant manager, which the judges didn’t appreciate, but which I thought was somewhat appropriate.   This manager gave his nightly proceeds to help raise funds for Jason.   It was nice to see a stranger’s generosity rewarded.   I guess the celebrity judges disagreed.

——

In the end Angelo was the only one chosen not to continue in the game.   While I’m supportive of helping our injured troops, I did not feel that Angelo chose the right ‘œneedy’ person.   However, I did have a problem with the judges not recognizing the idea behind the car’¦.but then again, the judges are all celebrities with no formal education in finance or philanthropy.

I feel that the most deserving people this week was Blair’s family.   I can’t imagine the difficulty it would have been to raise a child for 16 years that you could not communicate with.  

My best ‘œFishing Lesson’ award this week goes to Kim who raised donations to reward children that do their homework for the entire season.   The ‘œFishing Lesson’ award goes to the money moment that helps someone learn to fish for themselves, which is far better than just giving them a fish.