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Woman who helped find shelter for homeless during polar vortex gets $50,000 on ‘Ellen’

Posted at 3:34 PM, Feb 07, 2019
and last updated 2019-02-07 15:34:43-05

LOS ANGELES — A Chicago woman who led an effort to get hotel rooms for homeless people during the polar vortex was recognized on the “Ellen DeGeneres Show.”

With the help of social media, real estate developer Candace Payne was able to book 72 rooms for five nights. She helped more than 120 people.

Related: Good Samaritan puts 70 homeless people up in hotel rooms during one of Chicago’s coldest days in history

Ellen DeGeneres surprised her with two checks from Walmart, totaling $50,000.

Payne says she will use the money for her new non-profit to provide homeless people with temporary and permanent housing.