Oprah Winfrey Gives Audience $1,000 Debit Cards  10/31/06

Talk show host Oprah Winfrey has given more than 300 audience members $1,000 debit cards so they can use them to donate money to a charitable cause.

During the show, which aired earlier today (30OCT06) in the US, Winfrey provided the cards to the audience so they could experience the "gift of giving back".

Winfrey, who has famously given members of her audience new cars, paid off their debts and fulfilled their wildest dreams, called the show her "favorite giveaway ever".

The 52-year-old said, "I can honestly say that every gift I've ever given has brought at least as much happiness to me as it has to the person I've given it to.

"That's the feeling I want to pass on to you."

People can give the entire sum to one person - relatives aren't eligible - or they can split it among charitable causes.

Audience members also received a DVD recorder to tape their stories for a future show.

Winfrey added, "You're going to open your hearts, you're going to be really creative, and you're going to spend it all at once on one stranger or spend a dollar on every person.

"Imagine the love and kindness you can spread with $1,000."