PIF Bracelets in Iraq

I have been passing out lots of the “pay it forward bracelets” to people and my uncle came down last week and he was wearing it...he hasn't taken it off since he received it in Iraq. 

I think I am going to need more bracelets, I'm starting to run out again!

Rebekah Wade

Honors

I just wanted to let you know that the project was a hit!  And the wristbands ADDED SOOOO much!!!  I recieved honors for the project and ended up being awarded one of the three best presentations out of around 250!! yay!! But best of all were people’s reactions and seeing them inspired to do kind acts - that was the greatest reward!  The bracelets were used as a tool to thank people who had done something kind! So, I just wanted to thank you sooooo much!!!  You have no idea how greatful I am!!! 

Thank you! 

Mackenzie Lawrence

Grandview Terrace

I just wanted to update you on Grandview Terrace and our great success Paying It Forward at our first blood drive. Our staff and residents donated 35 productive units of blood on June 9, 2008 to the American Red Cross. The donations are expected to help 105 patients. We surpassed our original goal of 25 donors. I know it was mostly due to our Pay It Forward spirit and the wonderful bracelets you have so graciously donated to our cause. All donors received a bracelet and were thrilled to show their support.

Our staff and residents have embraced the concept. Our Customer Service Committee has Pay It Forward events planned every month until the end of the year.

 

Our future goals are to help less fortunate student with school supply donation, give out time loving our four legged furry friends at the local animal shelters and support our local battered women shelters. I know our Pay It Forward concept is a little different that the original concept but does it really matter as long as we are trying to change the world one favor at a time.

Sincerely,

 

Melody Sandberg-Dixon

Director, Resident Services

 

"What is a Hero"

Hi,
My name is Susan Hudgins and I teach freshman English in Fayetteville, North Carolina.
I just moved here, and my English 9 students are required to take, and pass, a state mandated test in order to be promoted to the 10th grade. I strive to provide material that combines all of the necessary content, and scaffolds information for better memory retention. In addition, being a mother myself, I know how difficult our society is today and I want my students to understand that there is more to the world than just individuals. Freshman English is based around analyzing literature, and I base my lesson plans and teaching that around a central theme throughout the semester. My theme is "hero."
 
What is a hero, who are considered heroes in our literature readings, both fiction and non-fiction, and what is it like to be a hero. I introduce this with the movie (which is great for presenting time lines and much more) and I present them their semester long project based on this movie.
Last semester was the first time that I had tried this with Pay it Forward, and I was actually brought to tears by some of the work that my 14 and 15 year old students did. Their creativity was amazing, the parents supportive, and their projects a joy in most cases.
 
I was unaware of your, and other, websites until now, as I am researching information to complete a webquest for this same class.
Thank you for your information!
 
Sincerely,
Susan L Hudgins, Teacher
English 9
Jack Britt High School

Pay it Forward a Hit in Malta

I'm Julian from Malta, a country over in Europe.  We are developing our idea for the activity. During these weeks, the majority of maltese youth have a 'pay it forward' fever.....we handed out a leaflet, made a hi5 group and a website (still under construction) www.payitforwardmalta.tk . The bracelets are already given out and ready for promoting the pay it forward concept whilst getting the youth geared for the 19th July massive festival.  Your websitewww.payitforwardtoday.com has made a hit in Malta...and I am amazed by the way it is working in our 500,000 population. Great effect.  I promise to keep you updated with what's going on...and later on I will send some pictures of the events and planning meetings.

 

Julian

Preservation of Sight for Veterans

First of all thank you for introducing me to the pay it forward movement.  I have always been a firm believer of the "golden rule" and helping people out by giving of yourself.  It was just the way I was raised.  To read this book and see what the whole philosophy behind one simple idea is amazing.  One person can impact so many lives for the better and it just does keep growing.  Thank you for spreading this positive message especially now when the world does seem to need it so much.  You asked me to share my experiences with you so here goes.

I went to the store the day of my final test for class at work.  I was so exhausted and worried that I would not do very well at all and at worst, fail.  There was a nice old man outside of the entrance and he was collecting money for the Preservation of Sight for Veterans.  I had a few dollars to give him and we had a very nice chat.  On my way out I was able to give him so more money for his cause.  To this he firmly declared that I had given enough.  I told him that the Veterans had given so much more and had paid such a bigger sacrifice this was the least I could do.  I told him I was paying it forward.  He inquired to what I meant by that and I explained the cause to him and gave him some bracelets to pass out and one for him to wear because he was also paying it forward by giving his time up for such a worthy cause.  He immediately open it up and put it on.  My worries amazingly vanished and as I walked to my car I could hear him explaining to the next person who donated about paying it forward.  I saw with amazement how this brightened the woman's face as she too put on the bracelet.

This was my first experience of paying it forward and I do have some more to send to you but I wanted to get this one to you first.  Sorry if it rambles a bit but, it was such a positive thing for me and all involved it just flows out onto the page. 

Helen

Seniors Paying it Forward

My name is Tiffany Woodley and I am a high school English teacher.  For the past three years I have been lucky enough to teach seniors World Literature which gives me a chance to broaden their horizons with various texts.  But, as we all know, seniors at the end of the year are … difficult to focus and (at times) manage.  Thus, I conclude the year with a film.  Since I began teaching seniors the film I have chosen has been Pay It Forward because it concludes our year of studies well and because it makes them begin to think about their place in society and their impact upon it.  This year, I have changed things up a bit though.  After we concluded the film and discussed the possibilities of Trevor’s plan, I selected a few members of the senior class (seven to be exact) to receive copies of the novel.  Within the novel is the mission that comes with accepting it – to begin their own chain and email me with the story of their first try.  Once they have done their first act of random kindness they are asked to pass the novel on to someone else who also accepts the idea.  I also am requesting that they email me with their location and first name so that I may track it.  I feel that this is an important movement that truly could change the world with a bit of time and patience and my students have (hopefully) become a part of it.  Once I get things moving I intend to set up my own web site that will track my chain’s progress across the country, perhaps we could link ours together?

 

Sincerely

 

Tiffany Woodley

ASHRAE Salt Lake City Chapter

ASHRAE is launching a new program to provide technical and financial support for a sustainable project in the cities where Society meetings take place, leaving a legacy demonstrating the Society’s commitment to sustainability. Beginning with the 2008 Annual Meeting in Salt Lake, ASHRAE is seeking donations from meeting attendees to go toward supporting a local green project or green enhancement to an existing project. The chosen project for Salt Lake is installation of a solar domestic water heating system at the YWCA of Salt Lake City's Teen Home. The system would help reduce the annual operating costs of the facility and reduce the environmental impact of the current heating system. Teen Home offers a safe, nurturing environment for up to 12 pregnant and parenting adolescent girls and their babies who are homeless, in state's custody, or have nowhere else to go. The Teen Home provides a home-like setting, nutritious meals and 24-hour supervision. Established in 1982, it is the only residential facility of its kind in the state of Utah. Additional funds toward the project also are being raised by the Salt Lake City Host committee, in conjunction with ASHRAE Meetings Arrangements committee, the Greening ASHRAE Meetings Ad-hoc Committee, the Young Engineers in ASHRAE Committee, the Salt Lake City Chapter and ASHRAE Region IX.  Your generosity and contributions toward this program will be a gift that can "Pay It Forward" for many generations to come.  Donations may be made on the meeting registration form, accessible by clicking here and selecting Register Online. Or donate by sending a check made out to the Utah Chapter. Checks can be sent to Brandon Briggs c/o VBFA, 330 South 300 East, SLC, UT 84111

Click here to view on the Web: http://www.ashrae.org/events/page/1637

Good Karma

Hey, sent a letter to one PIF site...the PIF movement...I like the PIF 

concept... I've traveled a lot as a truck driver for  over 35 years, I 

have ridden harleys for 40 years. seen to many of and  done a lot of 

nasty things, mostly for pure survival. At this point of  my life I'm 

trying to pay back ( or forward ) to the world that has  allowed me to 

survive. I've helped young people, soldiers, bikers,  truck drivers, old 

people...what ever it takes to put a smile on a  face... All I tell 'em 

is to pass on the good karma.

It's a movement who's time has come.

Peace

CROW