Cameron Johnson

Call it an Oprah moment for the whole city.

Roanoke will host a viewing party for "Oprah's Big Give" on Sunday night to cheer on a finalist from the Star City.

Cameron Johnson is one of three contestants left on the ABC reality show, which gave its cast members a stack of cash and a mission to "make a real difference" in the lives of strangers.

The 23-year-old Roanoke native has handled big money and media attention before. An ambitious Web entrepreneur since childhood, Johnson made his first $1 million while still at Patrick Henry High School, according to his biography on the show. His autobiography, "15-Year-Old CEO," was released in Japan and made the country's best-seller list.

Sunday's show, themed "Going Home," features the hometowns of its remaining contestants, meaning prime-time face time for Roanoke. Stuart Mease, special projects coordinator for the city, anticipates exposure to as many as 17 million viewers, when "Big Give" airs before the return of "Desperate Housewives."

In the "Big Give" spirit, Roanoke has teamed up with Johnson to raise graduation rates in city high schools, according to Mease. Their fundraising effort will bring Jobs for Virginia Graduates -- part of a national program that helps at-risk seniors stay in school, graduate and move into jobs -- to Patrick Henry and William Fleming high schools.

"We've all been watching weekly and we're excited he's coming home," Darlene Burcham, Roanoke city manager, said in a press release.

Johnson has planned to make an appearance at the end of the screening, Mease said.

In what has been considered a reality TV wrinkle, "Oprah's Big Give" has rewarded acts of philanthropy, reminding contestants: "you either give big, or you go home." The show, which began airing in March, started with 10 contestants. The winner will receive $1 million.