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Oprah armed guests with a video camera and $1,000 Bank of America card and sent them out to make a difference. The show will air today at 4 p.m. on CBS.

Oprah tells guests to 'pay it forward'

By: K.C. Vetter

Posted: 10/30/06

Oprah is notorious for her Favorite Things show, giving away clothes, giant gift boxes and cars. However, this time she is trying something new.

After seeing an endorsement through Oprah's Web site for her latest challenge, senior social work major Erin McNamee wrote in, wanting to participate in the challenge.

"They wanted caring people who love to help others," McNamee said. "I wrote in and they called me offering me a spot in the audience for (last Thursday's) show."

Oprah's "Pay it Forward" challenge asked those in attendance to step up to the plate and help others. Each of the 300 audience members were given a Bank of America card worth $1,000.

"The money must be given to a complete stranger or someone you barely know," McNamee said. "It can't be a family member or friend.

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

According to her Web site, www.oprah.com, Oprah is calling this her favorite giveaway ever.

"This is replacing her Favorite Things show," McNamee said. "She had too many other shows taking the idea and late night shows making fun of it, so she decided to put us in her shoes and allow us to brighten someone else's day.

"I find it better knowing that I can walk away knowing I'm helping others than walking away with a bunch of presents," she added. "That's what we wrote in about. We want to help others."

After the show McNamee, along with the rest of the audience, was sent into another studio where they met with Bank of America representatives and were given information regarding the card.

"We were given the cards, along with video cameras because we had to document who we were giving the money to," McNamee said.

"We were given a list of suggestions, like sending things to troops overseas, helping out a family who had a fire, but I wanted to do something bigger."

Choosing what to do became the challenge.

"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.'

"I want to get businesses in Macomb and different groups and organizations to contribute," she added. "I want everyone to be able to say they participated, not just me."

"This has to be shipped out by Nov. 6 so I don't have that much time!" McNamee said. "Every person that does get involved with this does appear on camera and has to fill out a release form."

The "Pay it Forward" challenge show airs today at 4 p.m on CBS.

Anyone who wants to get involved can e-mail McNamee at oprahschallenge@hotmail.com.