There are hurricanes of rain, wind and destruction. And then there are hurricanes of love, money and support. During her 20th Anniversary Season Premiere, Oprah Winfrey stirred up a hurricane of love, money and support for those people devastated as a result of Hurricane Katrina by personally donating $10 million of her own money toward the rebuilding of people's lives.

When Oprah recently visited the Gulf states she pledged she would not forget those who have been effected by the Katrina catastrophe. And that she has not!

Oprah's desire is to inspire America to stir up a more forceful hurricane of support. Through Harpo Productions and her Angel Network charity she has also set up an easy way via Oprah.com to purchase replacement products for victims of the Gulf Coast hurricane which hit August 28th.

Oprah was especially moved by the above HELP! sign that was written on top of someone's roof. She saw this sign as she toured the devastation on a Blackhawk helicopter with the mayor of New Orleans.

Oprah said, "While most of the people have evacuated, the signs of their desperation remain."

A Gift Registery for Hurricane Katrina Victims

On Monday, September 19th 2005, the Angel Network gift registery was announced on The Oprah Winfrey Show.

Winfrey said she realizes that not everyone can give ten million dollars.

Her hope is that everyone in America who hears about her outreach will give what they can.

"On Oprah.com, you can literally go online and help me furnish homes for Katrina survivors," she said. "It's gonna be like a [real] registry. You can buy a toaster, or you can buy a whole house."

Oprah wrote on her site:

I think we all -- this country -- owe these people an apology.

We still don't know how many of our fellow Americans lost their lives in the Katrina catastrophe.

As New Orleans mayor Ray Nagin says, 'It is a number we all fear.'

But we do know that a million did survive. They are not refugees. And I hope that everybody in this country and the world stops calling them refugees, because they are not. They are survivors and we, the people, will not let them stand alone.

They are Americans.

Oprah's Katrina Home Registery

On Monday, Winfrey encouraged her audience to click on "Oprah's Katrina Homes" on Oprah.com. This link will take you to a special registry which enables you to "go shopping and rebuild lives," said Winfrey.

Option 1 of "Oprah's Katrina Homes" allows users to purchase such household items as furniture, linens, towels, appliances, or even an entire kitchen.

Option 2 offers donors the opportunity -- through the work of Habitat for Humanity -- to purchase an entire house for one family. The cost? $50,000.

Option 3 gives people the chance to make a cash donation to the Angel Network Katrina Fund.

Oprah is also inspiring corporations and companies to get involved.

Hurricane Becomes Hurrican Help -- "Hurry I Can" Help!

Oprah cheered:

I want everybody to give at the level they can.

This is about our country, all of us as Americans, coming together, opening our hearts.

I want you to put your money where your heart is and give.

Whether you are an individual able to give a toaster, or a corporation able to sponsor an entire kitchen or house, you can offer your gift at:

Oprah joins other celebrities including Matthew McConaughey, Chris Rock, Lisa Marie Presley, Gayle King, John Travolta and Kelly Preston, who have already begun to help on the ground and in the air.

For instance, angel network ambassadors John Travolta and Kelly Preston loaded up a jet and landed in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, with five tons of supplies. They came bearing blankets, pillows, diapers, water and food for the thousands of families that have sought shelter near the state capitol.

The Icing & Figurine on Top of the $10M Cake

The icing on Monday's $10 million "cake" would have been if Robert Chavez, the President & CEO of Hermes (Oprah's apologetic guest) had come out at the end of the show and offered Hermes ties to every gentleman in the state of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.

Jennifer Aniston on "The Oprah Winfrey Show"

The "figurine" on top of the icing of the cake (you had to be there) would have been witnessing Jennifer Aniston, Oprah's first guest of her 20th season, come out and donate a "Habitat for Humanity" house or kitchen.

Those inspired to donate can also do so by mail.

Please send your check to:

Oprah's Angel Network
Online Donations
P.O. Box 96600
Chicago, IL 60693

Tim and I were so moved by Oprah's message we donated a full kitchen. Our $1,750 kitchen includes large appliances, small appliances, a cookware set, tableware, table and chairs. God bless the family who receives this gift.

Inspire & Be Inspired.

Here's to healthy, adventuresome, soulful, "giving families a new start" living!

~ Jennifer Carolyn King, Rugged Elegance, LLC

P.S. Your donation is deductible if you pay United States taxes. Oprah's Angel Network will automatically provide you with a confirmation page receipt and e-mail receipt.

Unfortunately, Oprah's web site is not "Mac friendly." Because I have an Apple PowerBook I will have to send my donation via mail. Perhaps Steve Jobs should contact Oprah and offer to set up a Mac friendly version of Oprah's registery.

About Oprah's Angel Network

Oprah's Angel Network is a 501(C)(3) organization supporting programs for women, children and families, educational programs, and health and human services. All donations are 100% tax deductible under U.S. law. Because Ms. Winfrey reimburses Oprah's Angel Network for its administrative expenses and overhead costs, 100% of contributions go directly to funding charitable organizations.