Kids Helping Kids and "PIF"

Hello,
Greetings from California. I run a non-profit that was started by my then 10 year old son Tyler (now 12).  After watching an episode of Oprah on child slavery in Ghana, Africa he was so moved by how these children were being treated that he knew he had to do something about it.  When he found out that just $240 would keep one child out of slavery for an entire year and before the show was even over he had me pause it and asked if he could have a fundraiser to raise that money. I simply asked him what he would do and how he would do it and 3 weeks later he had his first car wash.  He raised almost $1,200 enough to keep 4.7 out for a year.  That was all it took for him to realize that one person can truly make a difference and he has never wanted to stop.  He set a $50,000 goal which he reached last August through simple car washes, lemonade stands and other small fundraisers.  He has set a new goal of $100,000.  I guess he’s serious about not stopping.
 
Through his vision and heart I began to see an untapped resource in kids.  When we do our fundraisers, the self esteem of the children helping creates this ambiance that is unparalleled and if we could bottle it and sell it we’d be rich in more ways than money. There is absolutely no other feeling in the world that compares to the feeling you get when you genuinely help someone.  This led to opening our non-profit Kids Helping Kids Leadership Academy, Inc. where kids bring their passion and ideas to help others and give them the resources and tools to make it happen.  We also have monthly meetings to teach them invaluable leadership skills such as time management, integrity, accountability, money management, manners & etiquette, health, safety, and more.  In March our meeting was on “Paying It Forward”.  We showed the movie and invited them to participate in our pay it forward challenge.  They had the choice of picking $1 or a $36 bracelet.  Then they had a month to do something nice for someone else with the item they chose.  They could find ways to make more money with what they had or simply give it away at a time they felt someone needed it the most.
 
This was a hit – the kids went home very inspired and excited and shared it with their parents.  Then the parents watched the movie with their entire family.  One family – the Babo’s were so inspired that they googled pay it forward and found your website.  They wrote to you and you sent them some bracelets.  She gave us enough to pass out to our leadership group last month and the kids loved it.  We have now adopted the pay it forward challenge to be a part of our every meeting – each month the kids get a bracelet and come back the next month with their story of who they gave it to and why.  Then they get another one to do it all over again.
 
While I run this non-profit as a volunteer, I work 20 hours a week for Starbucks in a N. California store as a shift manager for their great benefits.  A few days after our pay it forward meeting while working at Starbucks with a line to the door, a man came up to me and handed me his credit card and a Starbucks gift card and said to me, “I’d like to put $50 on the gift card please, and I’d like you to buy each person a drink until the card is empty, all I ask is that you just buy one drink per person”.  Stunned, I asked for clarification and once I realized what he was doing I was ecstatic.  He left and I did what he asked only I added one thing.  I said, “Your drink has been paid for by someone who is paying it forward, all we ask is that you do something nice for someone else by the end of the day to keep it going”.  People lit up, got all excited and even more customers handed me money and asked me to add it on to the gift card to keep it going.  It was amazing.  By far my favorite day at work so far.
 
Because of the long line and the shock I was in that I had been the lucky one to wait on him I didn’t get his name.  Two weeks later he came in again only this time I was wearing the pay it forward bracelet.  I decided to pay for his entire order myself then took off the bracelet and gave it to him, explaining what it meant. It turns out he doesn’t even live here, he lives in L.A.   I got to share with him the reaction of the customers the day he paid it forward and told him about how we had just had our pay it forward meeting and passed out these bracelets to our kids.  He said he would continue to do it and thanked me for the bracelet.  I haven’t seen him since.
 
I would like to start this with my team at our Starbucks store and would like to see if I could purchase 50 bracelets to get this started.

On another note, last week we did an Earth Day presentation at two local schools where we teach them how take care of their planet.  After the presentation we planted some bushes and flowers at the school.  It happened to be 96 degrees that day and the classes ran out of time to finish planting.  So that left my son and I to finish up – in the heat with no water.  A teacher noticed us as she walked by and asked if we would like a cold soda.  We both gratefully accepted and thanked her profusely.  She thanked us for making the school look so nice.  I took off the bracelet and handed it to her and said, “This isn’t really how this works but to thank you I’d like to give you this pay it forward bracelet for giving us a soda.”  I then explained how it worked and off we went.
 
The next day a girl from her class and a neighbor of ours knocked on my door and said her teacher (the one I had given the bracelet to) was wondering if she could buy 35 bracelets for each of her students.  She wanted to do this with her class.  I just gave the teacher your website information this week and I’m sure she will be contacting you.  If it’s easier you could send both together to me and I would be happy to get 35 of them to her (Mrs. Medina).

I have always paid it forward – starting way back in my college years I would pay the bridge toll for the car behind me every time I had the extra cash, bring meals to families that had sick loved ones or new babies.  I LOVE the bracelet because it is a constant reminder and a tangible way to keep it going rather than out of site out of mind.  This is yet another way to keep that self esteem going on a daily basis, especially with our future leaders.
 
Right after we started Kids Helping Kids while in the car he said to me, “Mom, it’s like we are is making a difference one child at a time”.  That’s how our slogan was born.  That’s what you guys are doing – “Paying it forward one bracelet at a time”.  We will continue to email you with compelling stories from our kids as we keep the legacy of the pay it forward bracelet going.
 
Thank you for reading this long email and thank you for all you do.  If there is anything we can do for YOU please don’t hesitate to contact me.
 
Laura Page
Executive Director
Kids Helping Kids
Making a difference one child at a time
www.kidzhelpingkids.org <http://www.kidshelpingkidswithnothing.com/> 

Mrs. D and The Students at WBHS

   April 30, 2009

*******************

HAPPY

PAY IT FORWARD DAY, CHARLEY & Brandon!!!

 

Sincerely:

Mrs.Donney &

The Students at

West Boca H.S.

"PIF" and Mother Against Predators

Paying it forward through her foundation – Mothers Against Predators
 
www.wearemap.org http://www.wearemap.org
 
A Letter From Our Founder
In 2004, an online predator changed my life. He entered my daughter’s room through her computer screen. With the manipulation skills of a professional, this cybercreep lured my daughter and made her one of his victims. He remains at large. This traumatic event changed my family and I vowed that I would do all I could to make certain that others are not victimized as we were. It made me aware of the dangers lurking in cyberspace space and I felt I had to act to promote cyber safety. I started a Non-Profit group called Mothers Against Predators, and in the past four years, many have joined me in this critical project. Together we have created a movement, both national and international in scope, to advocate for online safety. Lawmakers and law enforcement offices have come to recognize that this crime is reaching into all levels of society and we are working, as we are to stem this new wave of crime. Join us in our efforts there is strength in numbers

Chewed Up and Spat Out and "PIF"

http://chewedupandspatout.blogspot.com/2009/04/pay-it-forward-join-me-thank-you-make.html

If you read my blog last week you may have noticed a tidal waves of emotions. I once again felt like I was being pulled in many different directions, and on top of that a bit of frustration because I also realized how far I've come in the last few years....but emotional exhaustion does take a toll, even on the strongest person.

Bill collectors, depleting bank account and my son's 11th birthday at the end of the month. All of it got to me. Thinking about Christmas and how I wasn't able to provide the boys with gifts like I wanted to - grateful remembering the community that filled those needs with Toys for Joy...but still that ache of frustration was in me.

Last week I blogged about that site I read about on a message board - Wish Upon A Hero - and after reading what they were all about, I swallowed that sometimes stubborn pride of mine, and made a wish on behalf of my son and his upcoming birthday....24 hours later, that wish was being granted.

When I read that notice on my computer screen, I cried for my son knowing that he would smile come the day he turns 11. ...

But I have to admit there was still a part of me that was frustrated that I was even in the situation where I needed to make such a wish.

Even with those mixed emotions, I couldn't ignore the fact that my spirit felt lighter...not so weighed down by worry. A feeling I want others to feel. A relief.

So I had this idea- bills are still mounting so maybe it's time to have a garage sale. I really do not have a lot, but maybe enough to cover a little something. Wish Upon a Hero and what they do kept playing over and over in my head....especially the gift we received. I thought about all those clothes my children no longer wear....a few toys that sit in my garage...and decided that those things could bring a smile to another child, and especially if their parent didn't have to pay for it. In a county where unemployment just reached 10.9 percent, I am sure there are many where a used tee shirt is a need.

I want to spread the smiles Wish Upon A Hero brought to me and will bring to my son....so this garage sale I am having will be in their spirit...a Pay it Forward sale where clothing, shoes and toys will be given away freely.

I shared my idea with others, and soon found out that they had items to be given away.....my yard will be filled clothing this weekend....

Then something hit me....wouldn't it be great if there was a Pay it Forward movement of garage and yard sales across the country this summer....wouldn't it uplift spirits that are down...help families out without them needing to ask...and provide that smile to a child. If anything maybe the depression of this sagging economy and rising unemployment could help bring communities together again...neighbor helping neighbor...no questions asked.

Maybe this is me being idealistic once again...I do tend to do that....

But I invite you to join me in honoring the spirit of Wish Upon a Hero...and pay it forward by having your own yard sale where items of need are given away freely. Call it a "Pay if Forward" sale....plant seeds of inspiration and giving while placing smiles on children's faces and helping to rebuild communities.

Care to join me?

Here is a link to the Wish Upon A Hero site where I posted my thank you, and told all there what their spirit of giving will do this weekend in my community....Pay it Forward-Wish Upon A Hero <http://wishuponahero.com/wishes/?id=224347#comments> .

If you plan on having a Pay it Forward sale please let me know...I will post pictures from mine next week...and PLEASE HELP SPREAD THE WORD in Paying it Forward!

Thankfully Chewed Up and Spat Back Out
find out why
http://chewedupandspatout.blogspot.com/

Free Reiki Courses and "PIF"

At our last certification we had 150 people competed the course and received their certificate plus bracelets. That was 2 courses we ran – 150 students. In total to date we have had approx 400 people completing the Free Reiki Courses.

Its absolutely amazing got another 600 waiting to do the course – we have now done our second lot of teacher going through so that there is not only the 3 of us teaching – we are busy 3-4 nights a week teaching and it gets very tiring!! So training OTHERS to teach for free – thanks to your PAY IT FORWARD – this has GROWN SO SO BIG!!!

Best Regards

Janine Chauveau
South Africa 

Pittsburgh Samaritan and "PIF"

It looks like this is actually starting something real.  The Youtube
video was on the front page of the paper,on the radio,and the news.
 
http://www.postgazette.com/pg/09106/963233-455.stm

I just wanted to tell you thanks for talking with me for the past year,
the couple of times I emailed you, etc. It actually looks like we are
going to make a small difference here. Google Pittsburgh Pay It Forward
or Pittsburgh Samaritan
 
I wonder what’s going to happen?  This is pretty neat.

Kindival and "PIF"

Channel 4’s “Battlefront” is delighted to support Kindival - a one day event celebrating kindness - which is to be filmed as part of the award-winning multimedia project. The event, from 11am to 4pm on Saturday 25th April 2009, is the brainchild of 20 year-old student campaigner, Tom Robbins, and will take place at the prestigious Chelsea College of Art & Design.

Kindival is the first annual kindness festival that the UK has seen. Featuring debates and engaging talks on the subject of kindness and what being kind means to society today, the event line-up includes comedian, Andy Hamilton (Have I Got News for You etc), pro-social group The Kindness Offensive, social entrepreneur Malcolm Scovil (Leap), artist and curator Professor Neil Cummings (Critical Practice) and Louise Burfitt-Dons (World Kindness Movement) plus many more. The festival will also include free workshops on massage, yoga and art, performances from magicians, jugglers, puppeteers and performance artists, plus an exhibition of contemporary art on the theme of kindness.

Tom Robbins is organizing Kindival ‘09 in response to the “current economic turmoil, and government pressures to counter our ‘Broken Britain’”. Tom began his Random Acts of Kindness campaign for Battlefront in early 2008, and has since carried out a wide array of public stunts in and around London to encourage citizens to be more open to kindness and, importantly, kinder to each other. He’s donated free umbrellas to strangers caught in the rain, held up placards asking people to smile at their neighbours, set up a ‘good-deed desk’ in Spitalfields where he took requests for good deeds and has persuaded over 1200 football fans to hug each other at the Milton Keynes MK Dons stadium.

Kindival sees Tom’s campaign step up a gear and is a fantastic chance for everyone to contribute their ideas and feelings about kindness. Although the campaign has a serious edge, the festival will be full of fun and families are very welcome. Entertainment for children of all ages will be provided.

For Tom, the reason why this festival is needed is clear. In the UK, 48% of the people surveyed by the National Statistics Office said they would rather “go their own way” than help a neighbour who may be in need of helpi, and in the 16-24 age group the UK reported the lowest levels of trust and belonging anywhere in Europe. Promoting kindness within communities can help to foster individual self esteem but also engender a community spirit that will help to repair society and make people feel better about themselves. Professor of altruistic behaviour David G. Meyers asserts: “Doing good makes us feel good. Altruism enhances our self-esteem. It gets our eyes off ourselves, makes us less self-preoccupied.”  As Tom says: “Life is about those little things that we do for one another – like opening the door for a stranger - it’s these things that can make someone’s day.”

If you’d like to attend or participate in Kindival ‘09, or find more about Tom’s campaign visit www.battlefront.co.uk/campaign/random-acts-of-kindness/ To

register for a free ticket to Tom’s event, go here: http://kindival.eventbrite.com/

For more information contact: Tom Robbins: T:07891 436 477 E:thedogooderarmy@googlemail.com Battlefront: Caroline Coombs T:

07534976148 or Jo Woolf T: 07976 880 323

NOTES:

The Do-Gooder Army is a group created by Tom Robbins that seeks to encourage people to do fun stuff that helps or benefits someone else.  A Random Act of Kindness is anything that benefits someone else that is seemingly ‘random’. This may be giving up your seat on the tube, offering up flowers to a stranger or mowing your neighbour’s lawn! Battlefront is a multimedia project (website & television) run by RAW TV and Channel 4 that encourages young campaigners to campaign about something they care about. The website can be found at: www.battlefront.co.uk The second television series of Battlefront is due to be aired on Channel 4 on 11-15 May. Battlefront has just won a Digital Emmy Award.

i Source: British Crime Survey, Home Office

Hockey and "PIF"

Hockey CAN touch your Heart!

My friend, John Conenna, recently shared a story with me that touched my heart and I think it will also touch yours.  The story is a couple of years old, but definitely still worth sharing.  It’s a “Pay It Forward” type story directly from the heart.  For those of you not familiar with “Pay It Forward”, the concept is based on the book by Catherine Hyde, which led to the movie released in 2000 - “Pay it Forward.” A 12-year-old schoolboy is given a class project to complete by his social studies teacher.  His task is to come up with a plan that will change the world through direct action.  Trevor comes up with the plan to pay it forward by doing a good deed for three people who must in turn each do good deeds for three other people.  The basic premise of the movie is that any one person can implement it in his or her own life, at any time, which is exactly what John did a few years ago.

John and his son Vince were at a hockey tournament in Holland, Michigan.  This is John’s story – “While intently watching Vince play, I noticed that one of the players on the other team broke his stick.  I didn’t really think too much about it until the lady sitting next to me got up and went down to speak to a man watching by the glass.  You couldn’t help but hear them arguing about the broken stick.  After a couple of minutes of them arguing back and worth, his response to her was, “that’s not my problem and not part of our divorce decree, I’m not buying him another stick.”  She walked away crying and looking very distraught.  The period ended and I saw her in the pro shop holding a new stick and talking to the guy behind the counter.  I just had to go in and see what was going on.  It turns out she didn’t have any money with her, nor did she have a credit card.  She wanted to give the guy her driver’s license and send him a check when she returned home.  You guessed it; the pro shop was unable to provide this type of service.  At that time, I walked over and asked how much the stick cost.” 

 

Without a bat of an eye John was paying for this kid’s new stick, so that he could continue to play in the tournament.  The mom and the kid behind the counter were shocked; a complete stranger is willing to buy a $190.00 stick for a kid he don’t even know – and one on the opposing team.  Yes, John Conenna is that type of a man, he didn’t think twice about helping out a family in need. 

 

“The mom was so happy and grateful; she pleaded with me for my address so she could send me a check as soon as she got home.  I told her that she’s paid me back already, the fact that her son can continue to play is all I needed.” 

 

“Then I walked down to her son’s locker room with her carrying the new stick. Sitting in the locker room was her son, Lawrence, who was very depressed because he didn’t know how he was going to continue playing in the tournament. When his mom, Debbie, came into the locker room, holding a brand new stick,   Lawrence’s eyes were about the size of saucers.  He couldn’t believe it, because at that time, he knew he would be able to continue to play in the tournament without having to borrow a stick from one of his friends.  Debbie explained that John had purchased the stick for him and he couldn’t thank John enough.  You could see how proud he was when he skated out on the ice with his new stick, his spirits were definitely lifted.”

 

“After the game, Lawrence asked his mom who that guy was and why he bought the stick.  Debbie tried to explain that she was sitting close to him during the game when the stick broke and saw her arguing with his father.  “John then saw me in the pro shop with the lost look on my face when I couldn’t pay for the stick and offered to buy it for you.”  At that point, Debbie knew that her son had learned a valuable lesson that he would carry with him forever.”

 

Over the years Debbie continues to send John and his family a Christmas card with a note in it, reminding John that she will never forget the kindness he bestowed on her family. The happiness that stick brought to her son, when he was on the brink of crying, is a moment John will cherish forever and all the thanks he’ll ever need.

 

 

Pay It Forward – Changing the World, one Favor at a Time

 

I encourage you to you to formulate your own ideas of how you can pay it forward.  Good ideas inspire more good ideas; it serves as a forum and a source of funding for the development and fruition of inspiration.    

Practicing the "Pay It Forward" principle will make you alert to unexpected kindness from strangers toward you, and you may find yourself becoming more grateful for everyday kindness and consideration from people you don't even know.

“Being nice is not a physical trait passed on from your parents.  It’s not in your genes.  It’s within you.  Being nice is an ongoing, lifelong course.  You never get to stop learning what it means and what it takes to be nice, but it’s well worth the effort because being nice can bring you rewards you never imagined.”

"PIF" Saved my Life!

I never watched pay it forward, I never heard of it, until Jan 15, 2008

when it saved my life. It gave me a real life a new life.

The start: I met a nice group online for people who helped watch a blog

site for hateful comments to remove them, or help people in despair. I

did my human duty, while struggling myself. I finally turned to my group

and received so much moral support. It was nice, but I still had gone 5

days on 1 can of soup and no idea how I was going to get money to get to

my job in 2 days. I was hit by a car and on disability from work, but

every bandage was one less dollar. Medical supplies are expensive. The

next day a FedEx package arrived, I opened it to find $50. I found out

who sent it after standing shocked like I won the lottery! I called him

and he asked if it would be enough to get some food for 6 days until I

got paid again. 

I lost his address and emailed him to pay it back, he told me to pay it

forward. What? After explaining the whole thing, I cried through the

movie, then I went into action. I am not here to tell you what I have

done, I just do what he asked whenever I can, and pass along the request

that these people pay it forward. 

Jen

A True "PIF" Video!

I just put up the video of my travels. Check it out. Can you please give me honest opinion. Keep in mind that I am no professional photographer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nd8m1Kqgbjg

Students at Alpine and North Linden elementary schools in Ohio "PIF"

Students at Alpine and North Linden elementary schools in Ohio paying it Forward
 
Though the book Pay It Forward is a decade old, staff and students at Alpine and North Linden elementary schools will keep the concept alive throughout May and April.  With national Pay It Forward Day coming up on April 30 the students have weeks of community activities planned as a part of Operation North Linden and Beyond.  Relying on students' helping hands, the aim of the spring project is to "change the world through one child at a time," organizers say.

Because the schools have received so much support from the community, it was natural to give back, North Linden Principal Lenelle Taylor explained. "We decided to participate because we wanted to provide an opportunity for the kids to give back to the community," Taylor said. "We thought it we be a good opportunity for them ... to show support for other people outside the school."

Plus their efforts tie into the district's mission to prepare students for leadership and service, said Taylor.  "We're always looking for ways to make (the mission) a real and authentic experience for the students," she said.  Operation North Linden kicked off with a book and magazine drive which continues through Thursday, April 9. Students will help deliver the items to residents of a local YWCA next month.

North Linden students have also been hard at creating journals and pasting inspirational cutouts to them. The journals, which will go to a local women's shelter, include letters from the students "that just touch your heart," Taylor said.  "The kids have had so much fun doing it," school secretary Nicole Moreno added. She and other staff members at the two schools have helped organize the activities.

Bags donated by Half Price Books on North High Street will hold the journals and planners that are being taken to the shelter on April 9.  The students aren't the only ones getting in the Pay It Forward spirit; Linda Ellis, author of The Dash: Making a Difference with Your Life, donated 75 copies of the book which will be included in the bags. Other partners in the project donated daily planners and toiletries.

Later this month, Alpine and North Linden students will tap into their creative writing skills as they compose letters to residents at Northland area retirement homes Oakleaf and Friendship Village.  Inside the classrooms, the 850 "Pay It Forward" bracelets donated by Charlie Johnson of the the national Pay It Forward Foundation, will be used to help students recognize and reward their classmates' acts of kindness.

Alpine and North Linden's staff will get in on the giving as well on May 19 as North Linden hosts its first ever Red Cross blood drive. The event will be held from noon to 6 p.m. at North Linden, 1718 E. Cooke Road.  "We've never done anything like this before. We're really hoping to get a lot of the parents (and residents) in," Taylor said.

For more information on Operation North Linden and Beyond, contact the school at 614-365-6055.

Shades of Pink Magazine and "PIF"

Shades of Pink Magazine calling on all Women in NE Florida
www.shadesofpinkmagazine.com<http://www.shadesofpinkmagazine.com/>
 
Trudy Pascucci the owner of Shades of Pink Magazine wants to help Women in NE Florida. She wanted to let everyone know her company
is here to help women and their families who may have become unemployed.  Contact her if you might be interested in a new line of work

Her contact info is below
info@shadesofpinkmagazine.com
phone - (904) 631-1662

Tomah High School and "PIF"

Thank you so much for the bracelets!   The students have now begun their projects and they are SO EXCITED!!!  Many students had great ideas this year.  They are proud to sport the Pay It Forward bracelet.
 
Some of this years student ideas:
 
·         Money in an envelope that they collected and are taking to a local grocery store, then envelop states to use some of the money to help pay for groceries if you are in need or you can choose to add to the envelope or give it back to the cashier.  The initial envelop will have a predicted $50.00
·         One student made 3 Easter baskets to take to the Families First organization to be given to children in need
·         Collecting cell phones for soldiers
·         Collecting money for the local animal shelter
·         Collecting gently used children’s book to be given to a local church
·         Collecting personal hygiene products that will be given to our high school secretaries and they can distribute the items to student in need
·         Collecting school supplies for the local Boys and Girls Club
·         Volunteering at the library
·         Purchasing and donating art supplies for students who take courses at THS and cannot afford to buy the charcoal pencils, etc…
·         Collecting items for the Veteran’s
·         Volunteer to help clean up for someone elderly through on organization
·         Reading to elementary students
·         Picking up garbage along country roads
·         Paying for THS student parking tickets for those students who cannot afford to pay for them
 
These are just some of the projects that are going on here at THS.  I am so excited to hear how things are going when the students return from Spring Break on the 13th to see how things are going.
 
Have a great weekend!

Gretchen Meacham
Tomah High School
Special Ed. LD Teacher

Kansas City and "PIF"

We are a transitional living program for homeless women and their children in Kansas City.
www.sheffieldplace.org <http://www.sheffieldplace.org/>
 
We have bracelets in a basket when the supporters check in.  They love it and have asked us
For more.  Has become very popular with the 20-30 somethings.
 
I can’t tell you how many I’ve given away standing in line at Costco!  Even if
I just witness the good deed I will leave my basket in line and go give a person my bracelet
And give them the story of paying it forward.  Angels come in many disguises
 
Hugs!
Meghan

Philippines and "PIF"

I am Jocelyn E. Morano, working in a local government radio station here in Butuan City, Philippines....my daughter who is working in a call center in Manila was able to received a pay it forward bracelet from an office mate, who reminded them to pass on the bracelet to those who render good deeds instead of saying thank you.A different concept but touches our heart especially during thie Lenten season. I even made a news story about this was published the other day. I am very much interested to avail such opportunity of having at least 25 pieces or more of the Pay it Forward wristbands hoping to spread the good deeds in my locality