49 ABC, Oprah team up to transform lives in Oprah's Big Give: Topeka
9 a.m. Sunday, March 16, 2008
Oprah is giving big to Topeka. The talk show legend and ABC have donated $10,000 so 49 ABC can help people in the Capital City. But the money comes with a challenge -- not just to give it away -- but to make it grow. So, Topeka, we want to see how much more money can raise and how much good can we do.
Here's our plan. With volunteers and local businesses, 49 News is teaming up with Let's Help. Together we'll focus on five Topeka families. Their homes, and their lives, could use a boost. We'll fix up their houses and provide the medical care and other help they need to get back on track.
Sign up to help out.
49 News wants to make the most of this opportunity. The more the community participates in this clean-up project the higher the chance the city will be mentioned on the Oprah show. That's why it's important to sign up to help out. There are many ways you can help, from making a donation to Let's Help to offering free plumbing services. Sign up for Oprah's Big Give: Topeka here.
Nancy Lawrence is one person we'll help.
Nancy kept up this home for years, but after doctors removed her brain tumor eight years ago things changed.
"When I woke up I couldn't move or talk," Lawrence said. "I don't get a round the way I used to."
That's why the windows in her old home are rotting and the electrical work is in dangerously bad shape.
"I lost the wiring in the last storm. It went down to the ground with the tree limbs, and I wanted it fixed," she said.
Now, we can fix it.
The idea behind Oprah's Big Give is neighbors helping neighbors. The folks we talked to spent so much time giving back to the others, now the community is giving to them.
"She's got a few issues," said Contractor Mike Presgrove, who is volunteering his time to get Nancy's house back on track.
"It's alway nice to give back to the community. We do work here all the time, so it's always nice to take on a project every once in a while," he said.
And Nancy is just the beginning.
The big give is a big job. But when it's done, five Topeka families will be on the path to success, and we'll all have pride in the place we call home.
Let's Help has already chosen the five families we'll work with. All this week, we'll bring you their stories so you can see how Oprah's Big Give: Topeka will help them. And if you're ready to give big, give us a call. To donate your time or money call our newsroom at 215-8524 or go to ktka.com/oprah.
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