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

Question

Additional Details

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

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

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

I would either take a single mother out for a pamper day and wardrobe update because the person I am thinking of only does things for the kids and never anything for herself. In an effort to help her feel better about herself, improvements to the outer house would help and I know it will be years before she could do it for herself. Otherwise, I would use it for someone who could not afford to go to a doctor and receive a thorough examination from head to toe to make sure all health needs are being addressed and if any money left, I would try to buy necessary medications or put that person in touch with agencies that could assist. Lastly, plan C would be to buy as many overcoats for needy children in my area as possible.

Source(s):

not sure what this means--

Answer 3

I would purchase discounted business attire for interviewees who could not otherwise afford to "dress the part" for job interviews.

Answer 4

I would simply put the money back into the lives of my students. I teach 6th grade special education in a low-poverty school. I know many of my students do not have simple necessities. I want them to know someone cares about them. If I had to pick one student, it would be my student Dylan. Dylan and his mom and baby brother have been in and out of a shelter. Even with this obstacle, Dylan still has a fantastic outlook on life and makes me smile and laugh every single day. I know that whatever I would do for him he would truly appreciate and he is more than deserving.

Answer 5

I'd give $100 to 10 strangers with the same concept and let those 10 use $100 to help 10 others.

Answer 6

I would give the needy people money(gift cards) so people especially single parents are able to buy their children gifts. I would also help out the local food pantry because i know they are struggling for food at this time of year. I would also help send the troops overseas food for the holidays. i may even send some to the local churches. i would also if i had enough money give the local children's hospital funds to help them for the holidays

Source(s):

Rose Hamilton
482 west locust apt 2
Dubuque, Ia 52001
[phone]

Answer 7

Maybe travel to see someone dear, to an old hometown. Depending on the persons situation would lie the true answer. It would be something that they would remember for the rest of their life......maybe meeting Oprah......maybe riding a train......mostly taking the time to give them something special.

Answer 8

I would give it to an orphanage that is desperate for money

Answer 9

I would give the money to the rebuilding effort of the New Orleans Public School System. My family and myself are all from that area. My high school was located in the hardest hit area in the lower 9th ward.

Answer 10

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 11

Well I will go to a stranger tell him the story and from then on go to double the people and tell then. It will eventually double every person. Together we will go to St. Jude's hospital and together go and donate the money to some child in need. Together we will say. Together as a whole we come to help one of us in need. It would be so wonderful. St.Judes Hospital needs our help it is so sad to see a infant suffering from cancer. Like in the commercials say those of us with healthy children give thanks, but those unfortunate ones let's help them.

Answer 12

I would raise additional money and build wells in countries where there is no easily accessible clean, drinkable water, as that is an issue that I feel passionate about.

Answer 13

I will spend the 3 days with her or him. See and feel how she or he lives a day without $1000 and on a day with $1000. I want to know what money could do to make a person happy in real world.
What is the ultimate satisfaction that money can make.
What will be my feelings, my reaction. Maybe it depends on a person that will receive it. How will affect my life. How will a day with $1000 will make one life so different from mine. Maybe it will tell me life is so beautiful that I have to wake up each morning and embrace what I have, be thankful to what I can reach and look forward to what lies ahead. Maybe the money will benefit the stranger we pick but the joy of giving will ease the pain of my griefing heart and mind.

Answer 14

I would donate the $1,000 to our local "Shop with a Cop" organization. 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.

Source(s):

The organization that coordinates this operation is the Covington Police Department in Covington, Indiana. Their phone number is:[phone]

Answer 15

1) I would select the person based on specific needs and not perceptions,using a Q/A spreadsheet with weighted scoring criteria.
2) I would need to have a pool of perspective recipients in order to make the selection. This would allow for proper identification of that person.
3) After selection, I would then develop a list of needs/wants based on the selected persons input.
4) Together we would prioritize the list and make some sound decisions as to what would help change their life versus what would just be a short term improvement or a want not a need.
5) In order for this to be somewhat of a surprise, I would have multiple choices to select from that would accomplish the goal, but also surprise the person selected.
6) Continue to work with the person to assure they reach whatever goal they had set for themselves and keep a relationship with them.
7) Make a deal with them, that if you help them attain whatever goal they set for themselves, that they pass it on 10 fold.

Source(s):

Not yet

Answer 16

$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)

Answer 17

I would give the money to my local food bank.

Answer 18

If I were given $1,000 to help a perfect stranger, I would pick someone with a disability that can't afford life improvements. Many individuals have trouble doing day-to-day activities because they cannot walk or see or hear. For somebody with a walking disability, $1,000 could buy them a new wheelchair or could pay for ramps to be installed around their living quarters. For somebody who cannot see, $1,000 could pay for a class to train them on how to live effectively. For someone who cannot hear or has trouble hearing, $1,000 could buy them a state-of-the-art hearing device. These are the types of people that could most benefit from $1,000, the ones that cannot afford proper health care in an ever increasingly expensive world.

Answer 19

I would rent a cart for business and place the stranger as a salesperson and provide him salary from the profit.

Answer 20

Oprah, I am one person that does not like to do things for self recognition. If I had a thousand dollars to change a life of a perfect stranger, I would go out and purchase a thousand dollars worth of gift cards from Lowes and Home Depot and donate them through my church to our Katrina program to help the rebuilding of peoples homes in New Orleans.

Answer 21

I think of the food bank first of all, that could touch several people. ($500.00)
Next, I would like to give $500.00 of it to help someone to be certified in 4 areas that allow that person work a certain job. (The oil workers in Alberta Canada.) Like one where they needed their H2S, CPR, WHMIS, TDG...ETC.

Answer 22

I WOULD CHANGE THE $1000 INTO ONE DOLLAR BILLS AND PASTE A SMILE ONTO EACH BILL. THE SMILE FROM ANYONE IS THE MOST WONDERFUL GIFT YOU CAN GIVE. "WHEN YOU SEE SOMEONE WITHOUT A SMILE, GIVE THEM ONE OF YOURS" A SMILE CAN CHANGE AS LIFE

Answer 23

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 24

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 25

I've been involved as a volunteer in a program called Discovery! for the past year. The program was originally run by Dr. Phil McGraw and his father and continues to this day to change peoples lives. My husband and I have paid for a few people to experience this life changing event and our time and money have given us more than we could have imagined. I myself have been profoundly and forever changed.

I would use the money to send someone to Discovery! in Plano, TX

Source(s):

Oprah Winfrey

Answer 26

I would match the $1000 and pay mortgage payment/rent for people in the local Converse County Memorial Hospital on Christmas Day until the money ran out.

Answer 27

I would just give it to them unconditionally.

Answer 28

I would go to Skid Row in any city and find one person who needed to have a lifelift that day. I'd then ask that person to help find nine other persons who needed a lifelift that day. I'd give each person including the original person $100 for that day. Not only would the life of one person be changed, but ten others (including me) having the opportunity to share a blessing that day.

Answer 29

It depends on the situation of the individual. For example, if the person was a college student, I would make certain that their books were paid for that semester.

If it were a family in need, I would make certain that they had food to eat, and pay their bills.

Answer 30

if i had 1,000 i will help my people in Iraq i will find how need it badly and help him because i love Iraq and my friend family or who left of them because every day people dying its so hard to see that if u read my answer Oprah i want u to do some thing plzzz i beg u do any think its so hard to see Ur home school city friend all of them gone all of them ..........and more

Answer 31

I’m sorry O but a thousand is not really allot of money to change anyone’s life. With inflation and war prices changing all of the time, I would think that if there was about one more zero then you could start to change the life of someone.

Even though a thousand dollars would be a little helpful the long term effect would not. Were talking about a society where low rent is $500 a month and if you’re lucky you will have one of your utilities bills under a hundred. If the reason that you’re giving the thousand to a person is because they are behind on bills or credit card debt has taken them over, it would barely scratch the surface. If you were to give that money to someone on "skid row"
The money could keep them off the street for maybe a month if they were lucky.

Now if you were to be the type to help a group of people then I would start by donating it to homeless shelters. The reason I say that is because I once was in a homeless shelter. The Shelter that I was at was fairly small but still needed lots of help. The thousand could have been used to improve the kitchen area of the building and maybe improve the computers that they had available for the building.

Ever since I came off "skid row" I have still had hard times finding jobs. When an employer asks me why is there a gap in where there is no employer listed, I have found that if I tell them that I was homeless I peaty much wasn’t getting the job.. But if I tell them it was for military training then I peaty much could assure that I would get the job.

If I had a good million or two though I personally would be able to do what I always wanted and open my own homeless shelter. The shelter would not only help the homeless but provide them with one on one counseling with them to get them the training and job they need to succeed. Allot of homeless shelters help people but what they lack is a way to get people back on there feet. By giving a homeless person the right tools to succeed you will find that they will

Along with the homeless shelter I had planned to build a transition apartment. Which would guarantee them a place to live provided they had sought training and acquired a job? The building would provide them with low rent and utilities to allow them to get to the point where they can live on there own. The way it is now with most homeless shelters is once you get a job and can afford to rent anywhere then they cut you loose. Which is good for a short time effect but long term does nothing.

I know that I peaty much went off the original subject but the way I see it, we need to establish a good program to get people back on the right place and into the working world. Who really knows the person you help today could be the person paying you back when you get down.

Thanks for the opportunity to rant a bit and speak a bit of my mind. I also would love to meet a group of investors who shared my interests, and would love to see a plan like this go into action.