Oprah laid down the $1,000 gauntlet several weeks ago, asking her audience to see just how far they could make that money go toward helping another person.

Kerman Haynes of West Palm Beach was in that audience and up for the challenge.
Here's how he turned his $1,000 into $45,000 for two little boys.

Two year-old Issac and 4 year-old Kahlyel -- they're not brothers, but they have a lot in common including severe asthma and allergies.

They love coming to school at the Florence Fuller Child Development Center in Boca Raton. The Center is a haven for parents who can't afford the high cost of child care. But when the boys are sick, it's a hardship on their parents, both of whom are single working moms.

That's where Kerman Haynes stepped in.

Kerman Haynes, Paid It Forward: "When I was younger I used to be really sick, used to have a lot of allergies and asthma and problems like that."

Kerman took his $1,000 that Oprah gave him and turned it into $45,000 worth of equipment and services to keep the boys healthy, at home and at school.

Things like this purifying system.

David is now planning to outfit the entire center with these lights.

Kerman also got the boys' moms cleaning supplies, housekeeping, a year's worth of doctor visits and medication, even a $1,000 emergency medical fund.

Mary Henry, Florence Fuller Child Development Center: "They were so excited. They came in the both of them crying. I think they were shocked when we first went to the house. And afterward and the following day they couldn't say enough nice things about Kerman and the whole Oprah show and how it's changed their lives."

You can see why he was inspired. But how did Kerman do it?

Kerman: "You know, just pulling on the heart strings of people. Just letting them know that Oprah issued this pay it forward challenge. And kind of telling my story. Just basically asking for help. It's amazing when you ask people for help what they're willing to do. A lot of people never really ask."

It may have been Oprah's money, but it was Kerman's ingenuity and hard work that truly paid-off. And it's a gift that will continue paying it forward.

Kerman is the sales director of the Strand, a condominium in West Palm Beach.