RALEIGH, N.C. — On Thursday, a Raleigh woman appeared on the Ellen DeGeneres Show.
Catherine Guy, 23, got the surprise of a lifetime when members of the show stopped by her Raleigh house – with an early Christmas gift.
That gift will be used to give back to the community.
“My mom and I go to the front door and the next thing you know it’s Ellen at the door,” said Catherine Guy.
Guy says that Wednesday was the best day of her life – she got the chance to speak to some of her heroes and meet them in person.
This is a little different for Guy, because usually she is the one bringing the joy to people.
As a student at N.C. State University, Guy worked with the Ronald McDonald House.
Seeing so many sick children was something she felt uneasy with at first, but after her internship ended, she didn’t want to leave.
So, she joined her two passions: rescuing dogs and working with sick children and created “Retrieving Hearts.”
“If I could bring in a four-legged furry golden retriever that they could sit and cuddle with that is something that I was going to feel good about,” Guy said.
After a full day of work, she and a handful of other friends volunteer their time and their golden retrievers to spend time with anyone in need.
“The joy and love a dog brings to me every day is something I can bring to these other kids,” she said.
So with a simple letter, Guy made a Christmas wish for tickets to see Ellen, which is the favorite show of Guy and her mom.
Not only did they get the tickets, but a $10,000 check to go towards Guy’s work in the community.
“She has a heart of gold and I’m very grateful and so proud of my daughter,” said mom Glenda Guy.
Catherine’s episode of the show aired at 3 p.m. Thursday on CBS North Carolina.
The two will also get the chance to be VIP guests at the show.