Mason Wartman opened Rosa's Fresh Pizza in Philadelphia as an entrepreneurial endeavor following a few years of working on Wall Street. He intended to make money, but ended up making a difference. Three months after opening, a customer came in and left a dollar to buy a slice for a homeless person, and Mason turned it into a pay-it-forward pizza system whereby people can buy slices for the homeless. He's since served over 8,500 slices to the homeless, and serves about 30-40 homeless people daily.Ellen invited Mason to the show this week to share his story, and to help him generate more business."I'm just really flattered that she thought my story was cool," Mason said backstage after the show. "It's definitely a nice way to break up the week – that's for sure."After the pay-it-forward system took off, Mason's walls became covered in post-it notes representing customer gifts, and he's aiming to eventually open up more shops around the city to continue his program. Ellen gave Mason a new sign for his storefront window and a $10,000 check from Shutterfly to cover pizza for those in need."That definitely helps us keep the lights on, and that's 10,000 more slices for homeless people," Mason noted. "Hopefully they'll use it to better their lives."While one piece of pizza may not seem like much, it does make an impact to those who have nothing at all. Many of Mason's customers panhandle for food, and that slice can be their only meal of the day."The post-its that mean the most to me are the ones homeless people buy when they're no longer homeless," Mason says. "A couple months ago, the first homeless guy that really got out of his situation, a guy named Marty – he came in and told me that by eating at my shop a couple days a week, he was able to save up enough money for some new clothes and a haircut. He was able to look professional in a job interview, and he got the job."See our full interview with Mason above!
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Backstage Exclusive! Ellen Shines a Light on a Young Entrepreneur Helping the World Through Pizza
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Ellen Meets a Giving Teacher
She won $150,000 and what she did with it blew Ellen away. Find out more about how Target is supporting education at Target.com/education.
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Backstage Exclusive! Ellen Gives Back to a Teacher Who Gave Everything
When Nicole Bollerman, a third-grade teacher in Boston, won $150,000 in a contest, she didn't keep a penny of it. Instead, she donated it all to her school UP Academy Dorchester, a low-income, high-risk elementary charter school in which 97 percent of students live below the poverty line.Ellen heard about Nicole's good deed and made sure it did not go unnoticed. She invited the 26-year-old teacher to the show, and told the world her story."I always felt that [the money] was meant for others, and I would give it to the people I love the most, which are my third-graders," Nicole told Ellen's Good News backstage following her appearance. After hearing more about Nicole, Ellen surprised her with a special live shot of all her students, who were standing by ready to cheer her on. Thanks to Target, all 700 students received backpacks filled with school supplies and $100 gift cards. The teachers were also rewarded with $500 gift cards. "The big surprise was my kids," Nicole said. "Seeing all their cute little smiley faces when I did not expect them was awesome… the money means a lot to the community and the students."Additionally, Target and Ellen gave Nicole a giant box of Skittles (her favorite candy), and buried within them was a check for $25,000. Nicole says she will use the money to upgrade her car and go to grad school. "When we impact the school positively, the community is impacted positively," she adds. "I know the school and the community are both going to benefit."
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Twins Aaron and Austin Meet Ellen
The moving video of Aaron and Austin coming out to their father made its way around the world and back. Ellen brought them to her studio to meet them in person, as well as their inspiring father.
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Ellen Meets the El Capitan Climbers
They were the first people to free-climb to the top of the granite monolith in Yosemite National Park. The first person they talked to about it was Ellen.
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Super Business Girl Asia Newson
This young entrepreneur is on fire! She told Ellen about her business, and ignited a passion in the entire audience.
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This Cover of 'Uptown Funk' Would Be Impressive If Six People Were Singing...
...Let alone one man solo!
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Pull-Up Dancer Marisa Inda
Her video wowed Ellen, so she invited her to the show to show off her stuff!
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How a Chance Encounter and One Photo Made a $700,000 Difference
For the past four years, photographer Brandon Stanton has documented people he encountered along the streets of New York City for his popular blog, "Humans of New York," but it was a photo last week of a teenager in Brooklyn that has taken the world by storm.
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Here's What Cristiano Ronaldo Does in His Down Time
While out walking his dog in Madrid, soccer superstar Cristiano Ronaldo (going incognito) took a break to not only autograph a ball for a young fan, but to also play a round of pickup in the street.
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First Time's a Charm for This 84-Year-Old Bowler!
She never bowled a day in her long and fruitful life, but you wouldn't know it from watching this grandma nail a strike on her first try!
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Single Dad Won't Let Anything Get in the Way of His Toddler's Hairdo
Greg Wickherst is a single dad with a toddler named Izzy, who was worried he wouldn't be able to style her rapidly growing locks.
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A Big Surprise for the Harris Family
They've had a difficult year, and they thought that attending an Ellen taping would cheer them up. They had no idea how much it would!
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An App That Gives 'Sight' to the Blind
Anyone who's doubted the impact of new technology should take a look at Be My Eyes, a brand new app that connects those who are blind, in their times of need, with those who can see.
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A Sister Trip to Remember
Ellen first met these two sisters over Skype. They were in her studio today for an even bigger surprise.
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Ellen enjoyed skyping with sisters Rachel and Sara Lewinson so much, she not only invited them to the show, but brought them back again! Then, she not only shared their story, but gave them a special trip to Antigua so they can spend more time together."We blacked out a little bit, but oh my gosh that was the coolest thing that ever happened," Rachel told Ellen's Good News after the sisters' surprise appearance. "She's just such an inspiration so to be able to meet her and hug her and see her beautiful eyes, it was awesome."Sara added, "Not only is she entertaining, but she does good things for good people, and that means so much to me… what more could you ask from someone you look up to?"During the show, Ellen replayed the sisters' fantastic Skype and brought them to the stage together. This past November, Sara came close to losing her life when blood vessels in her brain suddenly ruptured while on vacation in London. She was rushed to the hospital and doctors were able to save her life by performing emergency brain surgery. The sudden scare strengthened the bond between the sisters, who don't get to see each other often; Sara lives in Phoenix and Rachel lives in Chicago. That's exactly why Ellen planned a luxurious travel vacation in their honor!"We don't take our time together for granted," Sara said. "Even if it's an hour or a day or a week, it's amazing to be able to spend time together."Rachel noted, "We make the quality of time make up for the quantity of time."See our full interview above!
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Backstage Exclusive! Ellen Sends Two Deserving Sisters on a Trip They'll Never Forget
Ellen enjoyed skyping with sisters Rachel and Sara Lewinson so much, she not only invited them to the show, but brought them back again! Then, she not only shared their story, but gave them a special trip to Antigua so they can spend more time together."We blacked out a little bit, but oh my gosh that was the coolest thing that ever happened," Rachel told Ellen's Good News after the sisters' surprise appearance. "She's just such an inspiration so to be able to meet her and hug her and see her beautiful eyes, it was awesome."Sara added, "Not only is she entertaining, but she does good things for good people, and that means so much to me… what more could you ask from someone you look up to?"During the show, Ellen replayed the sisters' fantastic Skype and brought them to the stage together. This past November, Sara came close to losing her life when blood vessels in her brain suddenly ruptured while on vacation in London. She was rushed to the hospital and doctors were able to save her life by performing emergency brain surgery. The sudden scare strengthened the bond between the sisters, who don't get to see each other often; Sara lives in Phoenix and Rachel lives in Chicago. That's exactly why Ellen planned a luxurious travel vacation in their honor!"We don't take our time together for granted," Sara said. "Even if it's an hour or a day or a week, it's amazing to be able to spend time together."Rachel noted, "We make the quality of time make up for the quantity of time."See our full interview above!
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Backstage Exclusive! Ellen and Ford Reward a Responsible Couple Making a Fresh Start
When Ellen surprised Fallon Poston with a phone call this week, the young mom could not contain her excitement. Minutes later, Ellen was at her front door with Jeannie, and Fallon completely lost it.Fallon and her husband Matt recently moved to the Nashville area from Idaho with their 4-year-old daughter Zoey to get a fresh start on their lives. They'd previously lived above a garage to get rid of debt from student loans, and sold one of their cars and all their belongings to afford the move.In Tennessee, Matt works as a mechanic, and got a new job to pay for his continuing education to become an engineer. Realizing her devoted fans could use a boost, Ellen gave the family $10,000 from Shutterfly, then blindfolded Fallon and brought her to a Ford dealership, where she was surprised with a brand new F-150, courtesy of Ford. Fallon couldn't even talk."It's like a fresh new start. Thank you guys, thank you so much," Matt told Ellen's Good News.Fallon added through tears, "Now we can go see my family. They want us to come visit and we can't because we'd have to rent a car and we don't have that kind of money. Now we can go, this is insane! Thank you so much!"Zoey expressed her gratitude too!Watch the recap and backstage interview above!
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Ellen's Friend Alex
Ellen introduced the audience to an amazing young man whose family wrote her an incredible letter.
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Ellen Meets Humans of New York
The blog has touched people around the world. Ellen met the man behind the camera and two incredible people he featured.
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