Apple iPads, Nikon Digital Cameras, and Diamond Earrings-- But One Gift Stands Out More Than the Rest on Oprah's Ultimate Favorite Things 2010

Imagine winning an Apple iPad, a Royal Caribbean cruise, five years of Netflix, diamond earrings,  a Nikon digital camera, and a brand new 2012 Volkswagon Beetle all in one sitting.  If it sounds too good to be true, it’s actually not.  These were just a few of the items on Oprah’s Ultimate Favorite Things 2010 which truly became the “Ultimate” holiday giveaway as the audience left the studio with thousands of dollars worth of free merchandise, perks, and incredible gifts. 

Oprah knows what the season for giving is all about.  And with Thanksgiving around the corner, and Christmas not too far after, it is important to keep in mind the important things in life—and most of these things are not 2011 Volkswagon Beetles and a cruise for the whole family.  Oprah knows that giving back this holiday season does not necessarily mean giving away a bunch of free gifts—but giving away a gift that can change lives.

Among the shrieks of every stay-at-home mom, the tears of joy of every person in the audience, and the jumping up-and-down of every prize winner, there was a gift from Oprah that mattered most of all.  This year, one of Oprah’s Favorite Things 2010 was Kiva, a company that “gives loans to change lives.”

Check out Groupon.com/Kiva to give back to the
entrepreneurial community this season!

Kiva is a company that empowers individuals to lend money to entrepreneurs across the globe.  By combining microfinance with online opportunities, Kiva has created a global community of people connected through online lending.  Kiva’s focus on partnership relationships, accountability through loans rather than donations, and transparency through the free flow of communication make Kiva an aspiring entrepreneur’s dream capital-raising resource.  

Oprah honored Kiva for their outstanding work in supporting those entrepreneurs who aspire to build their own communities by including the company on the list of Oprah’s Ultimate Favorite Things 2010.  In addition, Oprah helped Kiva to launch an exciting new deal.  This weekend, new Kiva users can visit Groupon.com/Kiva to buy $25 of Kiva credit for only $15.  This way, anybody can help lend money to those entrepreneurs who are striving for their dreams this holiday season. 

Check out Groupon.com/Kiva or Kiva.org to learn more about this deal and to lend your money to those aspiring entrepreneurs who continue to Think Big and strive to build a better tomorrow.

Written by Allison Way.  Allison is a writer and videographer for Think Big Partners and bizperc, two of Kansas City's newest entrepreneurial resources.  To read more of Allison's work, check out the Kansas City Entrepreneurship Examiner.