Oprah's Big Give

I just finished watching an episode of "Oprah's Big Give." I found it interesting - both for the good and for the bad.

I mean, I think the intention behind the program is on. There is a lot to be said and learned as we hear stories of people doing extraordinary things to help out others. The projects that many of these folks put together on this show were wonderful and they touched many lives. On the specific episode that I watched there were five that stood out for me. One was a collaboration of 3 guys who pooled their monetary ($4,800 each) and connecting resources and worked to remodel, provide a playground, and two vehicles for the oldest orphanage in Denver. The kids were touched (and will continue to be) and the folks who work for/with these kids as well were re-energized. Then there was another young man who went ot the children's hospital and literally just gave money to mother's who couldn't provide the necessary elements like diapers, blankets, car seats - as well as giving his car away as well. Then there was a woman who is a parapalegic and she worked so hard to provide for a family that she randomly met who have a daughter who has developmental disabilities and for 16 years has been unable to communicate; as well as helping to pay for college for their oldest son. Then she went to the hospital and gave her handicapped equipped car to an immigrant who was just in a car accident and wouldn't be able to purchase his own.

All of this is moving and beautiful. There is a lot to learn in this.

BUT, and here's where I struggle. It is great that this money is going out like this, but what about the "normal" folks who don't have Oprah bankrolling things who are doing this and much more? What about a series that highlights their lives? Their work? Their struggle? There is a greater movement in these stories I think because they can encourage the rest of us who say, "Well that's good - they were given money. But what can I do?" There are amazing, loving, giving, sacrificing people throughout this country and this world, who don't look for the coverage but work their hearts and their lives to help others. These are the stories we need to hear, these are the stories that we need to applaud, these are the stories that we need to emulate.

Thanks Oprah for doing this - but I challenge you and those with the means to step out of the "reality tv-show" genre and step into the real life stories and people. Much can be done and much more enthusiasm and challenge to the rest of us who then can't say - "I can't do that."