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A fourth-grade class at Edison Elementary School and senior citizens from Wesley Nursing Home assisted McNamee in deciding where the money should go.

McNamee, left, chose National Guard member Todd Watts and his family to receive the $1,000 she was given from Oprah as part of her "Pay It Forward" challenge.

McNamee, community 'Pay It Forward'

Bushnell family receives more than $2,000 to help treat daughter's illness

By: K.C. Vetter

Posted: 11/17/06

Giving away $1,000 seems like an easy task, but when the money was forwarded from Oprah Winfrey herself, the job becomes a little harder.

Junior social work major Erin McNamee participated in Oprah's "Pay It Forward" challenge in which she received a $1,000 Bank of America card and told to give it to someone whom she didn't know.

"It's a lot harder than you think," McNamee said. "There are so many organizations. How do you choose? I want to bring the whole community together to help 'pay it forward.'

"She said we can raise even more money ... and make an even bigger contribution," she added.

McNamee did just that, getting additional donations from the Macomb community as well as from the university.

"The ladies in the business office in Sherman Hall donated about $500," she said. "I also received donations from the Western Illinois University Women's Center and the First Banker's Trust even chipped in $500. I raised an additional $1,100 for this."

With only 10 days to complete the challenge, McNamee enlisted the assistance of senior citizens from Wesley Nursing Home and an Edison Elementary School fourth-grade class to come up with ideas for where the money should go.

"I divided the kids and seniors into groups and had them brainstorm ideas," McNamee said. "I got some really cute ideas. One wanted the money to go toward a merry-go-round and a lot of them wanted it to go for a cure for cancer.

"They really wanted me to give to St. Jude, but that's not something I can show on camera," she added. "I wanted it to be more focused on something for our own community."

The group ultimately decided on helping a family in need.

"They decided they wanted to help an Iraqi soldier in the area," McNamee said. "I called the National Guard and they gave me the name of a man who lives in Bushnell."

Todd Watts served over in Iraq and just recently came home in January.

"He had to quit his job because his 4-year-old daughter was diagnosed with cancer," she said. "They've been taking her to St. Jude every week, driving eight and a half hours every week.

"Not only does she have cancer but she's also autistic," she added.

McNamee met up with Watts at his trailer home in Bushnell to surprise him with the news.

"The question that broke the news to him was if he was given $1,000 what would he do with it," she said. "He immediately said he would put it toward his kids and wife.

"He was in shock," McNamee added. "He didn't get excited or anything; he was just taken aback."

He was given almost $2,000 in the bank card and donations plus $100 worth of gas cards to help with the traveling to and from St. Jude.

"I also bought a bunch of gifts for the little girl for them to wrap and put under the tree," McNamee said. "She was the sweetest girl. She was all smiles and happy and giving hugs."

McNamee felt a sense of accomplishment and gratefulness as she completed her challenge.

"I couldn't believe I completed this in a week," McNamee said. "Coming back and seeing how that family is living and barely getting by, and here I am a college student getting an education and living nicely and comfortably, and then seeing this family live like this, especially someone who served for our country.

"It was an awesome experience," she added.

McNamee and the other 317 audience members will be heading back to Chicago Tuesday, Nov. 21, to tape the follow-up show.

"We'll find out what clips they're going to show," McNamee said.

Of all things, McNamee is grateful for all the help she received.

"I'm glad I had the kids' and seniors' help," she said. "There's no way I could have made that decision myself especially with so many great organizations.

"I couldn't have chosen a more perfect family."