Oprah Katrina Homes

In September 2005, Oprah reported live from the Gulf Coast just days after Hurricane Katrina blew to shore. She saw the desperate conditions facing those lucky enough to survive the storm and she made a promise to never forget the displaced families. Then, during the The Oprah Winfrey Show's 20th season premiere, Oprah committed $10 million of her own money to build homes and help rebuild lives. She also launched the Oprah's Angel Network Katrina Homes Registry so viewers could help fill the homes with furniture, picture frames and other items that were lost in Katrina's wake.

In less than two months, viewers donated more than $5 million in gifts to the registry.

Oprah's Angel Network teamed up with Habitat for Humanity to build and furnish homes for 65 families relocated to Houston, Texas. Just a couple of months after announcing her pledge, Oprah delivered the good news to the first 50 families.