SIERRA VISTA — The judges broke with the game plan and could not chose a person to send home in “Oprah’s Big Give” Sunday night.

So, Sierra Vista contestant Brandi Milloy, a former Miss Sierra Vista, will be back for the final episode in the popular reality show joining Cameron Johnson, from Roanoke, Va., and Stephen Paletta, from Bedford, N.Y., next week.

Prior to the ABC show, Milloy greeted friends, family and well-wishers at a community viewing on the big screen at Buena Performing Arts Center. More than 100 people came out to show support for the young woman who has made helping children and military families a priority. Even the pre-show get-together was a benefit as people were asked to bring in food that would go to the Fort Huachuca food bank.

“I have no idea how I got picked for the show,” Milloy said with a laugh. “I even went to Harpo Productions and applied for a job. I didn’t get hired.”

Brandi Milloy, sitting with her father, Sonny Milloy, and members of the community, watches Sunday night’s airing of “Oprah’s Big Give” at Buena Performing Arts Center. Milloy, a former Miss Sierra Vista, is one of the three finalists of Oprah Winfrey’s reality TV show. (Suzanne Cronn•Herald/Review)

Then she came across the casting call for Oprah’s new reality show and she headed to the studio.

“I love helping people,” Milloy said. “There are so many things you can do to give back to the community.”

Milloy was one of 20,000 candidates who sought the opportunity to participate in the Big Give, she told the audience prior to the start of the show. The idea is to give away money supplied by entertainment giant Oprah Winfrey to families or organizations who need help.

She decided to spread the $10,000 she had to give away in four days among several local military families.

Those families included the Wilsons, whose twins are autistic. Thanks to Milloy and Oprah, the 8-year-old boys were able to attend a special camp. Lynette Wilson presented Milloy with a bouquet of flowers and a very special DVD showing how the boys did at the special camp the boys attended with the money that Milloy gave them. While there, the boys learned to type and are now able to communicate with the family members.

Alysianna Nelson, 11 years old, also was a beneficiary of Milloy and the Big Give. The young girl was diagnosed with four brain tumors. Milloy decided to make Nelson Miss Sierra Vista for a day, complete with dress, crown and a parade.

Then there is the Loving family with three young girls, one of whom had a bad bout with a strep infection that landed her in the hospital and near death. One of her dreams was to go to Disneyland, so Milloy gave the family the money to go have a good time.

The family of Ryan Thomas, a local toddler who accidentally fell into the neighbor’s swimming pool and nearly died, also was a recipient of Milloy’s philanthropy.

He will suffer from effects of the near-drowning for the rest of his life.

Hank Huisking, a Sierra Vista City councilwoman, has known Milloy and her family for many years.

“I’m excited about this,” Huisking said. “It’s a great thing to have happen to a local, home-town girl.”

Huisking suggested Milloy help two women who work for the University of Arizona Extension Service in family and consumer services.

“There were two people in town who just give and give and give. So, they got a makeover and a shopping spree at Dillard’s,” Huisking noted.

Crystal Shilling, a teacher at Village Meadows Elementary School, has been affected by the giving nature of Milloy, who volunteered for several years in her classroom.

“I’m real proud of Brandi,” Shilling said. “Not many young people today have the spirit of giving. I think about Brandi everyday, and she inspires me. She has shown me that if you are feeling sad, go help someone else. It will change your life.”

Next week, the winner will be announced, and though the show has been taped, and Brandi already knows who won, she would not give any hint at who would walk away with the $1 million.

It has to do with contracts, Milloy said.

“I’ve won just by being on the show,” she added. “It’s been an incredible experience.”

Herald/Review reporter Shar Porier can be reached at 515-4692 or by e-mail at shar.porier@bisbeereview.net.