Americans can’t seem to get enough of giving back to their communities, and with shows like “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” urging them on, it’s a wonder there are still issues to be addressed.
FOX is getting in on the philanthropy with a new show, “Secret Millionaire,” which premieres Dec. 3 at 7 p.m. And the newest philanthropic show will feature a bit of a local twist.
The show will feature Baton Rouge resident Todd Graves, founder and CEO of Raising Cane’s. For the show, Graves and his wife, Gwen, were sent to live in a Louisiana town still recovering from the destruction of Hurricane Katrina.
“FOX went in before and asked permission to film a documentary on the community,” Todd Graves said. “They said the documentary was to be through the eyes of two people from out-of-state.”
Todd and Gwen Graves posed as an unemployed couple from Virginia. The inspection sticker and license plate were changed on Graves’ car, and the cameras had no identifying features from FOX.
“Everything was incognito,” Todd Graves said.
After spending a week in the town and interacting with its citizens, Todd and Gwen revealed their true identity and donated money to three individuals whom they believed deserved it the most.
“The hardest part was narrowing it down to three,” Todd Graves said. “There were so many that needed help.”
He said they gave the money to who he thought was doing the most for the community.
“There were people still living in FEMA trailers and not building their own homes, but building homes and community centers for others,” Todd Graves said. “I spent time with people who are angels walking this earth.”
Todd Graves gave $400,000 out of his own pocket.
“Being a CEO of my own company, I had to learn that I can’t control it all,” Todd Graves said. “I can’t just fix their problems. I had to work to help them.”
Todd and Gwen worked various jobs, including picking oranges and working in a restaurant, all while keeping their true identities a secret.
“We went to a crawfish boil, and we had to act like we didn’t know how to eat it,” Todd said. “We acted like it was really spicy.”
Todd Graves knows what it is like to work hard to get what you want. To earn money to open his first Raising Cane’s, Todd worked 90-hour weeks as a boilermaker in California and was even a fisherman in Alaska.
“I sometimes had 20-hour days fishing salmon,” Todd Graves said.
In 1996, he opened the first Raising Cane’s at the northgates of the University.
Todd Graves is not a stranger to philanthropy, either.
“I’m passionate about my business, and I do make a lot of money,” Todd Graves said. “But I also give a lot of it away.”
He often does work with local organizations, like Capital Area United Way.
“[In October], United Way held Shaken and Stirred at Walk-Ons,” said Melissa Parmelee, campaign associate. “The event was a series of events that raised over $9,000.”
Todd Graves is a regular donator to the organization and is classified as a Tocqueville Giver because he donates $10,000 a year.
“He’s awesome, and he’s so down to earth,” Parmelee said. “He’s definitely about giving back. He’s very generous.”
At Shaken and Stirred, Todd was behind the bar making drinks, some out of Raising Cane’s signature lemonade and iced tea. The money raised went to the 49 companies CAUW donates to, such as YMCA and the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank.
As for the FOX show, Todd Graves hopes it inspires people around America to get involved.
“I hope a lot of people watch this and see that we’re not done rebuilding after Katrina,” Todd Graves said. “Even three years after the storm, there is still a lot of work to do.”
He said the show was “one of the most moving experiences” of his life.
“You learn to talk less, listen more. Follow with your heart instead of your mind,” he said.
- - - -
Contact Ashley Norsworthy at anorsworthy@lsureveille.com
Raising Cane's founder featured on FOX show
Published: Thursday, November 20, 2008
Updated: Thursday, November 20, 2008
 "Photo: photo courtesy of Todd Graves")
photo courtesy of Todd Graves
Todd Graves, founder and CEO of Raising Cane’s, will be featured in the new FOX show, “Secret Millionaire.” Graves and his wife, Gwen, were sent to live in a Louisiana town still recovering from the destruction of Hurricane Katrina.
E-mail Treynkevin@cox.net Thank you.