ABC's "Secret Millionaire" Visits Detroit, Michigan

The second episode of ABC's "Secret Millionaire" aired last night and was just as moving as the first episode. The show took place in Detroit, Michigan, one of America's top drug and gang-related cities. Let me give you a few statistics from "Secret Millionaire" about the "Motor City": There are approximately 75,000 vacant structures, some of which are on the market for just $1 but have no buyers; there has been a 42% increase in property destruction just in the first several months of this year; 2 people die every day in Michigan due to lack of insurance; and Detroit is now the murder capital of the nation.

Just looking at these statistics makes me want to cry. Marc Paskin, however, braved all these statistics and did the noble act of being this week's "Secret Millionaire". Paskin hails from San Diego where he became a multi-millionaire by investing in real estate opportunities. He went to the Motor City to give back to the community.

M.A.N. Network

The first organization that the "Secret Millionaire" volunteered with is called the M.A.N. Network. This organization is run by Bishop Tony Russell and his wife Valerie. Volunteers patrol the streets in car or on foot to make the streets safer. Marc's first patrol is with a man named Randy and they patrol on foot. Randy explains to Marc what to look for. Randy and Marc walk by the home that Randy grew up in and Randy emotionally talks about his childhood. He was just a boy when he heard six shots and went running outside to see his mother holding his father who had been gunned down. His father was DOA at the hospital. Marc seems stunned at this point and doesn't know what to do. He finally reaches out by putting his hand on Randy's shoulder.

All of the volunteers of M.A.N. Network wear black t-shirts and baseball caps with the word "RESPECT" written on them. This identifies them as a team of individuals trying to make the streets safer. It's similar to the Guardian Angels in New York City.

For more information on the M.A.N. Network and how you can help them, please call 313 526-4000 or email them at bishoprussell@msn.com.

Young Detroit Builders

The "Secret Millionaire" starts looking for another organization to help. He comes across Young Detroit Builders and steps inside to find out about this organization. Young Detroit Builders is a nonprofit organization that helps young people between the ages of 18-24 with their schooling and learning a trade. The program works by having each student spend half their time in school and the other half of their time learning how to build homes. This organization has built over 800 homes in the past 17 years for low-income families and the disabled.

"Secret Millionaire" Marc Paskin finds this organization close to his heart. He talks in depth to Beverly Manick and she tells him that they've just lost $350,000 in funds over the past few months. Beverly explains that one of the challenges Young Detroit Builders has is that many people don't see these kids for what they are. They " underestimate the wisdom that these young lives have lived".

Marc volunteers for a day painting the inside of a home. He's working with a young woman who has raised herself from temendous odds to stay clean and do right. Her parents were drug addicts and she refuses to become like them. She volunteers at Young Detroit Builders because the program is helping her with her schooling and teaching her a trade. She's a very impressive young woman who has beaten the odds.

Young Detroit Builders does not have a website but you can call them at 313 964-2763 or contacting Beverly Manick by email at bmanick@youngdetroitbuilders.org.

Really Living

This organization transports patients from their homes to doctor's appointments. Many people living in Detroit do not own their own cars or have enough money for a taxi to get to their medical appointments. Really Living is focusing on the helping these individuals out.

As "Secret Millionaire" Marc Paskin steps inside to offer his help, he meets John Cook who is a former limousine driver that now needs dialysis treatment. John runs Really Living and he explains that he's focused on the statistic that two people die every day in Michigan due to lack of insurance. John tells Marc that he gets more calls than he can handle. He doesn't have enough vehicles or volunteers to get everyone to their medical appointments. Marc offers to help and tells John that he has a car and is willing to pick people up for their appointments.

Marc picks up a patient named Matt who needs to go for his dialysis treatment. While Marc and Matt are chatting during dialysis, another patient named Courtney is there and "Secret Millionaire" Marc starts chatting with Courtney. Courtney has just moved into a new apartment and has some items that need to be moved but she can't pick them up. Marc offers to stop by her place and help her.

As Marc visits Courtney, he learns more about her while moving some boxes and other items into the basement for her. Courtney has a daughter that is 4 years old and living with Courtney's Mom and Stepdad. The daughter was born at 27 weeks and has several health issues. Courtney wants nothing more than to see her daughter healthy and happy. Like any parent, Courtney wants her daughter to have a better life than she does.

To contact Really Living, please call them at 734 709-6402 or you can email John Cook at jc@reallylivingcorp.org. Really Living does not have a website.

At the end of the show, Marc reveals himself as the "Secret Millionaire" and makes a difference in the lives of others by handing out checks to the MAN Network, Young Detroit Builders, Really Living, and Courtney.

The "Secret Millionaire" is proving itself to be a heartwarming show to watch as it gives its viewers ideas and ways to help out in their own communities. Of course, if you're a secret millionaire you're introduced to some wonderful organizations where you can anonymously donate and make a difference.

Source: ABC's "Secret Millionaire"