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PEOPLE & The Oprah Winfrey Show Team-Up For Special Hour Celebrating "Heroes In Hard Times"

May 19, 2009

(NEW YORK) – On Tuesday, May 19, PEOPLE and The Oprah Winfrey Show will honor everyday Heroes from across the United States who are doing their part to help neighbors hit hard by the recession.  This exclusive hour on Oprah will celebrate the good works of PEOPLE’s Heroes in Hard Times, a feature the magazine debuted back in October, 2008 and which grew out of PEOPLE’s Heroes Among Us franchise.  

“Each of these Heroes touched a cord with our readers.  It’s incredibly gratifying to see them recognized by Oprah and to give them the chance to spread their good work with millions of Oprah’s viewers,” said PEOPLE managing editor Larry Hackett of the upcoming show.  “What you notice when you see all these Heroes is how there was never a moment where they asked, ‘How will I do this?’  They simply saw a need that wasn’t being met and figured out the details later.  Their matter-of-factness is as inspiring as the help they deliver.”

Hero Hal Colston’s big idea?  Rehabbing used cars – and giving them away – to poor families whose broken down cars were hampering their job hunts.  “When you help someone move to a different place in their lives, oh man, there’s nothing like it,” says the Burlington, VT man who has donated more than 3,000 cars to date.  Of his Oprah show experience, Colston says, “It was magical.”  

Colston is one of ten stories featured on Oprah & PEOPLE’s Heroes in Hard Times on Tuesday, May 19.  Others include:  Dr. Dan & Suzie Bell, Eureka Springs, AR; Tim & Nancy Nicolai, Sioux Falls, SD; Marilyn Mock, Dallas, TX, Mary Marzano, Maplewood, NJ; Dale Dunning, Lewes, DE; Von “Dallas” Gigrich, Lake Forest Park, WA; Mimi Ausland, Bend, OR; Ashlee Smith, Reno, NV; and Hannah Turner, Perrysburg, OH.

For more information on these Heroes in Hard Times visit www.people.com/heroesamongus or http://www.oprah.com/dated/oprahshow/oprahshow-20090416-heroes-hard-times

About PEOPLE

PEOPLE revolutionized personality journalism in 1974 and today is the world’s most successful and popular magazine.  Each week, the PEOPLE brand brings more than 43 million consumers the latest news, exclusive interviews and in-depth reporting on the most compelling people of our time.  In addition to unparalleled access to the entertainment community, the stories of real-life “Heroes Among Us” remain an essential component of PEOPLE’s editorial approach.  PEOPLE.com is the premier web destination for celebrity news, photos, style and entertainment coverage. With reporters across the globe, PEOPLE is headquartered in New York City.  For more information visit www.people.com.

About OPRAH

"The Oprah Winfrey Show" has remained the number one talk show for 22 consecutive seasons, winning every sweep since its debut in 1986.** It is produced in Chicago by Harpo Productions, Inc. and syndicated to 214 domestic stations by CBS Television Distribution Group and to 143 countries by CBS Paramount International Television.

Sources:

**Nielsen Cassandra Ranking Report - Nov'86 to July '99 and Wrap Sweeps, Nov '99 to July '08. Primary Telecasts Only.