I was at the taping for Oprah's Big Give Kickoff Party and got to see the premier episode of Oprah's Big Give! My heart beats in my throat thinking about it! The excitment of it all was overwhelming. Suspense, irony, surprises, sadness, joy, the whole range of emotions flooded our hearts as we watched! The Friday Oprah show is going to be so FUN! A cooking segment with Nate, Oprah, and The Naked Chef (with his clothes on. ) Everyone invite all of your friends over for a party to watch the kickoff show and Oprah's Big Give! Your children can even watch this show which is a refreshing change from the smut that covers our airwaves!
GIVE BIG
or GO HOME!!!!
Stephanie in Lafayette, Indiana

I, too, was at the taping of the Big Give Kickoff Party. I was chosen to sit on stage for the taping so I can't wait to see the "front" side of the show. I agree that the show was very emotional. I hope that all Americans will realize that ANYONE can be a giver and change the life of someone forever!!

Enjoy the premiere and GIVE BIG or GO HOME!!

Stephenie
Bedford, Indiana

I only wish I could have been there! God Bless Oprah, as she share's here blessings with all of us ! I question sometimes my logic, that I also have taught my children, 2 alway's give back more than you take. As is printed in my daughter 5th grade yr. book. She chose 2 leave me @ 16 ( I set her free)to live with my estranged brother, who has more than he needs and is willing to share some with her. He has 2 children a boy & a girl. But I give until it hurt's. Until there is no more to give. Now that I am broke, living in a very in need of repair double wide trailer. That has seen the abuse of 5 children. 3 girls, hers (the ex) his, & ours,2 boys(twins)-ours. Now I am giving my spare time (when not to sick- SLE & friends) to Habitat for Humanity. Love it when I can get it. The offer's seem to be limited in my area. But I was criticized by this great brother of mine that I use to think could walk on water, but he can't seem to even take a call from his sister. Maybe he thinks I want his money, all I wanted was his love & advice. He told me I should have been home decorating (Christmas)for my children. Well as it turns out I was doing it while my boy's were in school. And they were proud of me for it. The only thing they didn't like is they weren't allowed to help, because there only 10. The girls much more material are gone. My baby girl now 17, lives with him. Scholastically she is amazing, though now that everything is being handed 2 her, she seems to be losing her drive and has gotten engaged. As they say be careful what you wish for, you just might get it. She is proof. When she was in kindergarten she wished for her mom to have twins. We weren't planning anymore and were taking measures to prevent such. That spring I became pregnent. We had both just quit our job's & started a busness. Talking about scary times. But 10 yrs later I couldn't imagine my life any other way! They GIVE BIG and I LOVE THEM SO MUCH! And I love every one of those girls as my OWN ! Mine has hurt me the most. The 1 that was hers, the oldest, now mine. She calls me mom! And she has given me a beautiful grandchild. The middle has given me 2. But moved to Kentucky for the second try. I pray she comes full circle. And will someday realize I didn't break her family up. She didn't really have 1 before. I tried my best to bring her dad out of the bars and back to the dinner table. That's another story. Short point mom was still married to her first husband,dad was drowning. Congratulation's to Oprah for her latest adventure OWN! Hope it is all u dreamed, u deserve it !

Just what we need, and how fitting that it comes from Oprah & Staff, to once again give the world an example of how we can use our miraculous communication systems to inspire connectedness and show the impact "choice" has on our world. Beautiful timing as we enter the re-birth of spring. My Sunday evenings just got blessed. With all my heart, thank you!!

There is a small church near our home that business and road construction are trying to force out. If I won all that money would go to them. This is a small African American church and I love to drive by and see all of the ladies in their Sunday dresses and hats. I want to see them be able to expand and grow. They have had a building program, but just can't seem to gtet ahead of "big business" and "progress."

Amazing! No doubt about it... Oprah has always known how to unleash her inner power to give!
This IS one woman who in all areas of her life, succeeds by giving! Brilliance is measured by fame, nor grey matter, its the
sheer desire within you to truly be a giving person, for the utter joy of giving, not for any other recognition, nor merit.

Sharing ideas, sharing knowledge, giving of materials, sharing your joy with others, as a pure intention We need to celebrate the giving, rather than the receiving... Oprah is one woman who has mastered this knowledge.
This is Oprah, this is brilliance! Oprah you are Brill! Thank you xXx

Amazing! No doubt about it... Oprah has always known how to unleash her inner power to give!
This IS one woman who in all areas of her life, succeeds by giving! Brilliance is NOT measured by fame, nor grey matter, its the
sheer desire within you to truly be a giving person, for the utter joy of giving, not for any other recognition, nor merit.

Sharing ideas, sharing knowledge, giving of materials, sharing your joy with others, as a pure intention We need to celebrate the giving, rather than the receiving... Oprah is one woman who has mastered this knowledge.
This is Oprah, this is brilliance! Oprah you are Brill! Thank you xXx

My son was recently involved in a car accident and his car was deemed total. They had to use the 'Jaws of Life ". I was truly bless to have my only son alive with me today. He only had his car for one week. The only thing he tells me is that we have to save to get another car again, because it was a used 2002 vehicle. Chase approved his credit wiyh a 25% interest rate.this meant since he didn't have a major car loan before he would have to pay 2x the cost of the vehicle. What an incentive for a young college student, working part-time has to face as an grown -up starting his adult life! My motto is always be positive and one day it will get better!!!!!.One ,thing that I truly can say to you Ms. Oprah, I AM TRULY PROUD OF YOU!!!!!!! God , has given his powers to you!




Bye For Now, We, will talk again, but goodnight for now.
Oh, Happy Belated Birthday, we celebrate the same birthday together,too!
Bye, Happiness

We are having a Big Give Kick Off Party at our home in South Barrington, Illinois and have invited our neighborhood circle group; plenty of children. This is a wonderful idea and effort to show/teach us how liberating and empowering it is to give our overflow away instead of buying another car, coat, jewelry, or some other thing we do not need. Thanks Oprah and team.

when will a brooklyn lady, get to go to an Oprah taping? Are we exempt? That would be a dream come true for me. What do I need to do. 3 kids and a mortgage, I can't afford to pay for any airline tickets, but Oprah if you ever come to NY city again, I would be in awe to attend

Hi Miss O,how you doing? I watch your show everyday and love it. I live in public housing and thank God I'm content with what I have--coz there are others less fortunate--I only ask for 1 thing ,a car; I've been without one for 3 yrs and I can't take it anymore. Can you please help,thanks and God bless you always.

Call me paranoid, but I am beginning to feel scared about the amount of influence Oprah has over us. She endorses a Presidential candidate and tons of support and supporters crowd around. She starts a magazine, and it is quickly the "must read" for style and celebrity. She buys a TV network and voila! - the "O" TV channel is formed. She "picks" a book and an author's future is secure, whether or not that author is telling the truth. If she likes an actor, his or her movie/TV show/book are sure to be watched or purchased. If she backs a Broadway show, it succeeds. It's a little SCARY......thank you Oprah, but I'll not overlook that the candidate you endorse was raised as a Muslim, and that his overeducated spouse seems to feel no pride in being an American until recently. I'd rather think for myself, I still know how to do that.

Although I'm in the habit of watching Oprah every day...and always amaze how she really has a big heart and is NOT selfish at all. Something from her childhood or past life is what has made her such an amazing person today. I for one know if I had that type of money how that would be such big contribution factor to the Muscular dystrophy community-single parents who have made so many sacrifices to be the caregivers for their sick children. People don't realize that MD is so much ignored comparing to the other diseases. I am a single parent of a 18 yr/old boy with DMD and I get absolutely no help at all. My family chooses to walk away. His dad is useless and my "friends" are so scattered. Recently, I was admitted into the hospital for a possible heart attack. I was in for 3 days having tests done. No one was willing to come to the aid for my son who requires 24/7 care. He had to stay at the hospital with me. I had to give him my bed to sleep in due to his physical need. Now, it was I, under the tremendous amount stress, sick, depress and yet I had to still care for my son while as a patient.(ended up being a severe anxiety attack) It just did not fit in my sister's schedule to come and be with him. Like a "heart attack" is a schedule activity!!! I was so angry and hurt that when I needed time for me to get well, I couldn't. I needed a procedure done but had to refuse to do it cuz then my son would not have his needs met. Even the social workers couldnot find any assitence. We live in a medical community that lacks nurses, PCA's and CNA's. It is horrible. From this experience is when I had wish to be a lottery winner so I can build a community for families who need that 24/7 care for their children if they need that time away. Like a large sufficient home that has the 24/7 care but treat people with disability with dignity and respect. Not a nursing home and not a community govern by a selfish government that discriminates against some diseases. And please don't refer me to the MDA- they are the biggest joke and they DON'T provide such aid to families. I know what they say at their telethons but that is a bigger joke! Trust me...I'm not the only client who can testify to this. There are many families who can stand up to this. I'm a single mom who worked but had to give up my work, not only due to my own health but due to the care my son requires and since Florida fails to provide the required care for the disable, I have to do it. I would like to dirve a new car, but that won't ever happen. I would like Tim to have a reasonable decent transportation, but that won't ever happen. I would like to own a home for once in my life but I knw that won't happen either. So we have learned to accept what little we have and learn to deal with it. It has become part of our lives. However, I know that it is easier to give to those in greater needs even when we have needs that needs to be met. Its a gift that God has given us. It would be easier to be selfish, its human. But I know for some reason or the other, God has given us all talent, skills and gifts to not only better ourselves but the world we live in. As much as I love the Home Edition by ABC...I had to stop watching it. Emotionally it made it difficult for me to watch even if I know it is a happy and good thing. Safe hugz!

Ashlena: did your son not have any insurance? that should have helped paid off the car he wrecked and money back to put down for a new car? I don't know what state you live in or what type of insruance he had, but if you had not looked into it, you should. That is if he had insurance. Just something to think of just in case it was missed. Hope he is feeling better....safe hugz!

Good job Oprah! You inspire me everyday (yep, I'm registered to take your class with Eckhart Tolle) and your Big Give is just another way you will make the world better. You are truly one of the angels who puts your money where your mouth is. I am very content with my life and want for nothing and God hasn't shown me yet how I will give back to the world. I used to counsel victims and abusers of domestic violence and found it incredibly rewarding. It's just not possible to continue this work where I am living right now (small town, no police presence etc.). I'm watching your show right now and I can see that other people had trouble knowing how to use the money to best help people. I've thought a lot about it and I definintely think I would help victims of domestic violence..even more so now that I just heard on the news that they may need to close the woman's shelter in our area. When I lived in So. CA. I tried to start my own agency and was even doing some group counseling in a neighborhood church but the competition is tough for grant money and I hit a lot of brick walls. I'm now in Iowa and it saddens me to see so much family violence and so little true help. Again thank you for your continued inspiration to the world Leslie Buscher