If you were given $1,000 to change the life of a perfect stranger, what would you do?

Question

You may have heard about the concept of paying it forward -- the idea of doing something meaningful to help someone else without asking for anything in return. So, if you were given $1,000 with the understanding that it had to be used to help others, how would you use the money and why?

To see how others turned these endless possibilities into amazing results, watch Monday's "Oprah" (check local listings for airtimes or go to http://www.oprah.com/ for more information).

Answer 1

I would find a sad and lonely person who was also very pessimistic and pay for an experience where they can help others in the hope that they will find that giving of yourself can be a great present to yourself as well as the person who is helped.

I would take this stranger to a children's hospital ward with board games and other interactive fun games so that they can interact with the sick children and see how happy they are when they have new people spending time with them and taking their mind's off their illness.

The stranger will see that their life isn't so bad and every time they feel themselves getting sad or pessimistic they can remember how happy they made these sick children. With any luck, the stranger would continue to see the sick children.

Good deeds are often contagious and when others find out about what you are doing it can encourage others to do the same. The more we get out there and help others, the better off we will all be. It can even be something very small - for example, I was once driving over the Harbour Bridge and went to pay the toll and was told that the person in front had paid mine as well and wished me a happy day. I, of course, paid someone else's toll another day. This chain reaction of good deeds hopefully is still happening!

Answer 2

Being that I live in a city (not major) like most where there is a lot of poverty, homeless and needy, I would take the money and find someone who I see often that's always hungry or in need of a nice warm bath, fresh clean clothes, and somewhere to stay and would make their day by taking them somewhere to get something to eat, buy some decent clothes to wear, take them somewhere to take a nice long bath or shower, whatever they choose, get them a room in a hotel for a few days , a couple weeks, whatever. As far as if there is anything being left , I would just hand that over to them because since I can't do this for a long time and the money can only go so far, and after time they will be back in the same spot where they were found, at least they could eat a few more good meals before they go back to what they know or should I say the situation they were in.

Answer 3

The Home seeks to provide a sanctuary from destitution for 130 children ranging between the ages of nine months and eighteen. The Home strives to create a well balanced environment in which the children can develop into capable, independent adults and aims to develop the children's vocational skills with regard to career prospects.The number of children ranges from 120 to 200 (following Hurricane Mitch). The children are only very rarely given for adoption, since the idea is to give them a loving home, and not promote 'international baby business'. The children are supposed to leave the Orphanage at the age of 18, but such is their love for the Home that many of them build houses around the perimeter so they remain part of the Tierra Santa community. .

Answer 4

The Home strives to create a well balanced environment in which the children can develop into capable, independent adults and aims to develop the children's vocational skills with regard to career prospects.The number of children ranges from 120 to 200 (following Hurricane Mitch). The children are only very rarely given for adoption, since the idea is to give them a loving home, and not promote 'international baby business'. The children are supposed to leave the Orphanage at the age of 18, but such is their love for the Home that many of them build houses around the perimeter so they remain part of the Tierra Santa community. .

Answer 5

There are SO many sick kids at MD Anderson, the Children's hospital as well as every NICU in town. I would love to bless those families. There are families I know that could really use $1,000. They need furniture, food, a car. I know a single dad who is raising 2 children. They have nothing. The kids do not have clothes that fit. They do not have toys. Mattresses are on the floor. They do not have a car. They walk everywhere they need to go (the closest store is walgreens and it is close to 1/2 mile away). The closest grocery store is a few miles away. Their lives would be dramatically improved if they had a car. Their father would be able to work more. I wish I could do more for these families.

Answer 6

The Home was started in response to a need to care for children who have parents but have been abandoned by them for social, economic or personal reasons. The Home seeks to provide a sanctuary from destitution for 130 children ranging between the ages of nine months and eighteen. The Home strives to create a well balanced environment in which the children can develop into capable, independent adults and aims to develop the children's vocational skills with regard to career prospects.The number of children ranges from 120 to 200 (following Hurricane Mitch). The children are only very rarely given for adoption, since the idea is to give them a loving home, and not promote 'international baby business'. The children are supposed to leave the Orphanage at the age of 18, but such is their love for the Home that many of them build houses around the perimeter so they remain part of the Tierra Santa community. .

Answer 7

Whoa! Seems I'm late by about 7 years, huh? Well, if I were given $1,000 to change the life of a stranger; I would most definitely use it on a below average school in my home country - South Africa - and make sure it's put to good use. $1,000 is the equivalent to R10,000, which is the currency they use there.

Answer 8

Our local police force with the help of our community work to collect money to take children on a Christmas shopping spree. Our police officers donate their time and their own money too. I work at Covington Elementary school and I am fortunate enough to get to see first hand how this makes a difference with these children. To see the police (in their uniforms) and the wonderful volunteers come to our school and pick up the children is a delight but what is more exciting is to see them return with their bounty and to hear the stories from the volunteers. More than once, I have seen them tear up as they recount a particular story. So many times, these children, while they are excited about shopping for themselves, are also so worried about others they know that need things. It is not uncommon for them to come home with boots or a winter coat for a cousin or sibling in need. I donate to "Shop with a Cop" every year. $1,000 extra would help them take several more children along on this trip. It would be a wonderful way to spend it.

Answer 9

There are so many things I would want to do. I am a cancer survivor. I know that when I go for check ups at MD Anderson in Houston that there are children who either have sick parents or are sick themselves. My heart grieves for the babies. I would know parents stay by their kids sides and do not have time to Christmas shop. I would love to be able to provide those families with some gifts and joy during the holiday season. There are SO many sick kids at MD Anderson, the Children's hospital as well as every NICU in town. I would love to bless those families. There are families I know that could really use $1,000. They need furniture, food, a car. I know a single dad who is raising 2 children. They have nothing. The kids do not have clothes that fit. They do not have toys. Mattresses are on the floor. They do not have a car. They walk everywhere they need to go (the closest store is walgreens and it is close to 1/2 mile away). The closest grocery store is a few miles away. Their lives would be dramatically improved if they had a car. Their father would be able to work more. I wish I could do more for these families.

Answer 10

There are many charitys that could benefit from a thousand dollars and be put to good use. Although what I would do with a thousand dollars is to start in my small little town. Everyday even though I live in a small town I see people that are less fortunate than I am. Even if I cant help that person I always ask God to bless them in some way that day. It has always been my dream that if I had plenty of money I would pick one person each day to bless. So, if I had the extra thousand I would do just that and help people in my small town. I would ask them what their biggest needs for that day were. Oprah it is so awesome what you have done in the past and are still doing to help people. I think that is why God blesses you like he does.

Answer 11

$1000 could help someone in a time of need but this particular question is how would I use it to CHANGE the life of a perfect stranger. Changing someone's life is far more long term than helping someone temporarily by buying them a WalMart gift card. I would probably look for someone that has a business idea and buy them the LLC, fax, phone, business cards, etc. I think that would probably help someone to a great start offsetting the initial expenses of business startup. I know, it's not merchandise or retail space but it's a start and I think it would be the best way to help CHANGE someone's life.

Uh...at least I know it would change my life! :o)