Orange County Millionaire Glenn Stearns Wins Top Prize on TBS' Reality Hit, "The Real Gilligan's Island"

Local Entrepreneur Will Donate Winnings To Charity

In Recognition for Commitment to Disadvantaged Youth, Mayor of Newport Beach Proclaims "Stearns Family Foundation Day"

Newport Beach, Calif., Dec. 21, 2004---Glenn Stearns made Television history tonight, becoming the first winner of TBS' "The Real Gilligan's Island" and the first ever non-celebrity contestant on a reality show to donate the entire cash prize ($250,000).

Stearns matched his winnings, donating a total of $500,000, another non-celebrity reality star first.

The money will help disadvantaged youth reach their full potential through the Stearns Family Charitable Foundation founded by Glenn and his "Real Gilligan's Island" co-star real-life wife, Mindy Burbano Stearns, who finished in second place.

The announcement was made in millionaire style at a Bamboo Red Carpet Finale party hosted at the Stearns' Newport Beach mansion.

Reenacting his final moments on the island that included a helicopter fly by and rescue flares, Glenn made his entrance in front of 400 surprised guests, including members of the cast and crew as well as the creators of the original "Gilligan's Island," Sherwood and Lloyd Schwartz.

In recognition of Stearns' commitment to disadvantaged youth, the Mayor of Newport Beach, Steven Bromberg, proclaimed Stearns Family Charitable Foundation Day.

"While Mindy and I had this experience for the shear fun of it, we knew this money could have changed the life of one of the castaways," says Stearns. "However, we are committed to rescuing the real castaways, society's troubled youth, who will now have a chance at reaching their dreams since I was one of those kids who was given that chance."

"We are committed to helping troubled youth have a chance at reaching their dreams because I was one of those kids who fortunately made it".

Although a millionaire today, Stearns has come a long way from his modest and troubled roots. A true rags-to-riches story, Glenn failed the fourth grade, fathered a child at fourteen, and barely graduated with a 2.16 GPA from college.

He now owns twenty-six companies that were recently rebranded to take on the "Stearns" name (www.stearns.com).

Had Glenn stumbled during the final moments of the show, the money still would have gone to benefit the same cause, as the runner-up was Mindy Stearns, Glenn's wife, who left her five-year tenure at KTLA-TV in Los Angeles, where she was entertainment anchor.

"The Real Gilligan's Island" highlights one of the talents that got her discovered on "The Oprah Winfrey Show," making rooster calls among other noises.

The Stearns Family Charitable Foundation is forming a partnership with various children's charities, including Canyon Acres Children and Family Services.

The party also served as a toy drive and fund raiser for Canyon Acres Children and Family Services.