The Love of "PIF"

i just wanted to share my extreme love for this project - i have been at the top of the world and i have been so down in the pit - and i always had family to get me out of it - however, they never let me pay them back - so i use 'pay - it-fowrad' as my way to thank my family - my eyes stay open to ways i can help someone every day - a recent story right around christmas time was i was a local McDonald's where i was buying a $5.00 gift card for a friend's birthday . it was small , but i knew he would apprieciate it - i also ordered a drink and was waiting for them to fix it , when a girl came in , kind of rough looking , and had a few coupons in her hand - she had a little boy with her and they ordered ice cream with the free coupons - the manager looked at the coupons and said they couldnt accept the coupons for some reason - i could see the girl was aggrievated , and they begin to walk out , the boy not complaining or asking why - i have two little boys and i know if we would have walked out without ice cream , you would know it!!!!! so something in my heart tugged, and i ran out behind them and told her to please take the gift card and get her son some ice cream - she was really confused and didnt really know why - but i said , please take it !

Ethics and "PIF"

The idea of paying it forward recently came up for discussion on my college Ethics class's Blackboard. Many of my fellow classmates were familiar with the premise of paying forward good deeds they had been the recipients of and I wanted to share my small story with you. Years ago, I was a struggling mother of three and my husband had arbitrarily quit his job six weeks before Christmas. We did not qualify for any county assistance because his income had already exceeded the limits for the month. I was frantic and had no idea where our next meal was going to come from, never mind how I was going to provide a Christmas for my kids. One of the nuns at my church found me crying in the corner after a meeting and pried out of me the situation. She immediately took me to the rectory kitchen and filled up three bags with food for the five of us. She also directed me to one of the local food pantries where I was able to acquire more food and non-perishables. I was unaware that she also submitted our names to one of the local corporations who sponsored needy families at Christmas. Imagine my shock and surprise when, two days before Christmas, I got a call from one of the employees asking if they could come over with a "few" donations for my kids. When she and two co-workers arrived, they were laden with gifts for each of the children and for myself and my husband! There were toys, clothes, warm coats for all and even an autographed football for my six-year-old son from Buffalo Bills quarterback, Jim Kelly (20 years later it's sitting on his dresser). The little tree we had was almost completely dwarfed, and on Christmas morning, the awe and joy in my childrens' eyes was overwhelming. The next year, I was shopping at one of the local department stores during the holidays when I spied a tree with paper ornaments on it and a notice asking shoppers to choose a child's name off the tree and purchase gifts for them as they were underprivileged. I chose one name that year, but the following year, I picked two. When each of my kids was old enough to understand the concept, we would visit the tree and they would choose their own child to give presents to. They even gave up presents from their own Christmas lists to give to "their" person. I've continued that tradition for several years, in recent years, doing it alone. My kids are grown and their lists are relatively short. It gives me pleasure and a feeling of satisfaction to shop for young children again, especially when I know they are so thankful for everything they will receive. The Pay It Forward movement and your organization are wonderful examples of just how generous and caring mankind can be. We should all strive to exemplify the ideals you illustrate in the stories posted. Alain New York

Buehler Family and "PIF"

The Buehler Family has been Paying it Forward for 30 years Since 1980, the communities of Greenhills and Forest Park have supported an annual charity coed softball tournament, run by members of the Buehler Family. The Denny Buehler Memorial Tourney (DBMT) organized by Denny's sister Mary Beth in 1980 as a fundraiser for Denny who had recently been diagnosed with leukemia and needed a Bone Marrow Transplant. Denny passed away less than a year later, but it was decided that the tournament would continue because the Buehler family wanted to repay the community for it's support. Denny had 3 children (who were 4, 2 and 8 mos. old in 1980) who have taken over running the tournament, and raised a record amount in 2006. The Denny Buehler Memorial Tournament is a co-ed softball tournament designed to raise money for people in need within the Winton Woods community. Proceeds from tournament entry fees and concessions, along with individual donations, are used to support people and families within the Winton Woods community, including the Cincinnati suburbs of Forest Park, Greenhills, and Springfield Township. Sometimes funding is also given to worthy organizations that support research for cancer and other diseases. http://www.dbmt.org/About.html

Winnipeg and "PIF"

I live in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. I met Candace Sutherland a few years ago who also lives in Winnipeg and who inspired me.

About 3 years ago I first heard about Candace by reading a newspaper article. The article was about a 14 year old aboriginal girl that was urging Winnipeggers to donate turkeys to support her drive to feed the needy at Siloam Mission (a local food bank). This was just prior to Thanksgiving in 2006. My wife and I bought 2 turkeys and I delivered them to Siloam Mission. That’s where I met Candace Sutherland.

I was so impressed about her work and commitment that I vowed to do my part as well. If a young teenager could devote her time and the little money she had to help the needy, the least I could do was to volunteer some of my time to help as well. I began volunteering in the kitchen at Siloam Mission. My wife soon joined me and we have now volunteered there almost every Saturday morning for the last 3 years – all because of how we were inspired by Candace.
Candace has been helping the poor and disadvantaged in Winnipeg for several years and she now is about to begin the most challenging project to date. She will be running across Canada beginning at the end of February, 2010 (on her 17th birthday) to raise funds for 4 charities that have a special meaning to her and her family.
For more information about Candace, her accomplishments, and her upcoming run across Canada called the Vision4Hope marathon, please see her website at http://www.candacesutherland.com

As mentioned on her website there are administrative expenses for this type of project. There will be a fundraising event on February 6th to help out but I am afraid that will not be enough to assist with all costs associated with the run. There is a link on the website if anyone wants to help with a contribution.

Also, if anyone has an RV and is willing to help by offering their RV to cross one of the provinces, that would be great. The owner of the RV can feel free to drive which would be a phenomenal experience – to be part of this historic event.

Please help Candace realize her dream and make the Vision4Hope marathon a success.

Pay it Forward Day

I picked up the proclamation today from our Mayor. I'm attaching a picture of it. Keep your fingers crossed that our Governor will make a proclamation also!

Thanks!

Debbie Micola

Groceries and "PIF"

Good evening,

I wanted to submit a story for the blog. Last year I decided to make it my goal to change the lives of 12 people (one per month) and do something for them that they couldn’t do themselves. I would like to share my greatest success story. I have a friend who had fallen on hard times economically and I decided to help them get back on there feet. Instead of having them pay me back I told her to start a college fund for her 3 year old son as the greatest gift you can give a child is a chance at a better life. She did that and recently she was at a grocery store and the couple in front of her was having trouble paying for there food. The check they were using didn’t clear, she paid for there groceries and told them to pay it forward, she told me that the cashier started crying and told her that was the nicest thing she had seen in a long time. I have given her one of the bracelets and she proudly wears it and shares that story when people ask her about it. I also wanted to know how I would start a pay it forward club in my town. I see that schools do it I was wondering if there was a way for an individual to start one up. Id really like more info on this

Thank you

Shawn Cooper

"I believe in you" - The 4 most important words you can tell someone- Coach K
"Changing the world...one person at a time..."
"Give your very best"