Ridgefield resident shines on Ellen
“Our next guest is a hardworking 3rd grade teacher who just won $150K - but it’s what she did with that money that got her an invite to my show,” said Ellen DeGeneres.
“You’re just an amazing young woman,” exclaimed Ellen.
Bollerman, who teaches third graders in Dorchester, Massachusetts, entered a Capital One Facebook contest called #wishforothers. “I made a wish that my third grade adorable kids would have a book to take home with them over December break and I ended up winning 150K.”
“What did you do with that money?” asked Ellen. “I donated it back to my school,” a humble Bollerman answered.
Bollerman was heartfelt when she explained, “Ninety percent [of my students] are low income, some are homeless, they have challenges and adversity. They deserve so much.”
And the surprises begin.
“We love your school and so does Target,” said Ellen.
UP Academy students were shown via satellite as members of the Ellen DeGeneres team presented each of the 700 UP Academy students with a backpack chock-full of school supplies. Target also gave each child $100 gift card.
But that’s not all (this is Ellen after-all). “We learned that that the average teacher spends about $500 out of their own pockets each year on their classrooms so Target is giving each teacher at UP Academy a $500 Target gift card,” said Ellen.
Bollerman's smile was radiant as she shed tears of delight.
Ellen saved the end of the segment for the biggest gift of all. Ellen gave Bollerman a terrarium full of her favorite candy - skittles. Hidden inside the huge tank of skittles was a check made out to Nicole Bollerman for $25K.
Ridgefield and HamletHub are so proud of you Nikki Bollerman!
View the clip from today's Ellen Show here.