Secret Millionaire: Pastor Ted Speaks
Q: Did you have any idea that Todd and Gwen weren't who
they seemed?
A: No! I was really, really taken aback when I found out.
There were no clues that Gwen and Todd were anything other than good people who
wanted to help. I had no idea that there was anything strange. FOX did a great
job of keeping the suspense going. When they came back for the last visit, I
did notice that their clothes seemed to be more upscale, but I didn't really
think about it. It was really a surprise.
A: We received the money in May, and we did exactly what we told Todd and Gwen we'd do. We've completed the volunteer center, except for a few minor details. On the night the show aired, we had six guys from Wisconsin staying in the center. They're here working on new building projects.
We've also invested in some construction projects,
helping some families get into new homes.
Q: Did you watch your episode when it aired? How did it
feel?
A: I watched the show at home with family - we've been a
bit dispersed, so we decided it was time to come on home and watch it together.
Q: Were you surprised at all about the trouble Todd and
Gwen had on little things, like budgeting for grocery shopping?
A: I was taken aback [at Gwen and Todd grocery shopping],
but I think of it this way - it's difficult for people who have all the things
they may want to understand what it's like to have to think about things like
that.
There's an old Indian saying that you can't judge a person until you've walked a mile in his moccasins, and Gwen and Todd have definitely walked a mile and a half in ours.
Q: How have things changed for your organization -- and
for you personally -- since the show aired?
A: The reality is that the publicity is fine; it might be
able to attract people who want to help, to let people know what we're doing.
But it's not something I'd seek out - I just want to stay in my corner of the
world and help people. I don't want people to think of me as a television
personality; I'd rather they think of me as a servant who is trying to help.
A: The first thing I'd tell people is to be careful how
you treat people - don't judge by appearances, because you never know. I wish
that everyone could be so fortunate to meet people like Todd and Gwen, people
who wanted to be benefactors and help somebody else.