OT: "Pay it Forward"

[HHIgirl]

What is the best "Pay it Forward" for which you were knowingly or otherwise the recipient?

One Christmas, years ago, when I first got the news that working was no longer an option for me I started working as a mentor/advisor of sorts. Anyway, even with the help I was doing for others I was still sad. I had little money and things were just grim. My Mom and I decided to go to BK and when we pulled up to pay the gal at the check out window said "this is a pay it forward, the man in front of you paid for your meal. Merry Christmas. We were stunned, happy, elated and crying because this was so amazingly kind.

So now during the Holiday seasons, Christmas and Lent I do the same when I can.

Just wondering what experiences all of you have had in this department?

PS: I know I am posting a lot of off topic things lately, but the Q is boring and you are fascinating to me!

[Touché]

Great thread, HHIgirl!

I alluded to this story on another thread: In December (2004), I sold an eBay item to a lady in Florida and took great care to package and ship immediately (Priority Mail) before receiving payment. (I wanted the parcel to arrive in time for Christmas.) You guessed it . . . she never paid me, nor answered any e-mail inquiries. I called, but the phone had been disconnected. I didn't file against her or post any feedback; I wrote it off as a lesson learned. I wrote the "buyer" and requested that she pay it forward one day when she could.

About a week ago, an eBay seller included a FREE $30.00 item in my package and told me to "pay it forward" one day! I couldn't believe her generosity! It was three times the cost of the item I "forgave"!

I'll always remember your story, HHIgirl, and I'll continue to pay it forward, too.

[illinois]

I never really thought to do this before, but now I will (thanks HHIgirl) - What a great gift and surprise for someone! I've never been the receipent of something like this either.

At Christmas time our church has two "giving trees" with tags on them from people of all ages from our "sharing parish." This past year, the home for troubled children was added, and it just seemed like not a lot of the tags were being taken off the trees. I usually take one for each member of my family. A woman my age, man my husband's and three children my children's ages.

But this year, I took a few more (although I really couldn't afford it; but it just seemed like there were so many tags left on these trees), so anyway I came across this one tag from a "mom" that had on its request tag cleaning supplies, believe it or not... I felt so bad and realized this stuff adds up and is expensive. I was reminded how lucky I am and ashamed of how I complain. Well I bought a huge tub and filled it with all sorts of stuff.

Then another tag I just picked was again from a "mom" and that request was either silverware or pots to cook with..... Again I felt so bad, I really couldn't afford both, but I bought continental size, nice, sturdy silverware for this woman. Hopefully she was happy with it. (Mine isn't this nice)

Anyway, I'm not sorry I spent so, so much money on these people, but I did go way overboard.

But, HHIgirl, this is a great idea. Next year, I'll have to limit my tag taking, but I can do this and not go into Christmas debt...

[B.R.]

Illinios, my son and I do the "giving tree" too. We pick a mother and a boy my sons age and go out shopping for them. It's very rewarding.

[darlakay]

Illinois, my sons and I also do the "giving tree".

The youth group from our church gives a family in the community a complete dinner for a holiday (Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas). They would give a basket with a ham or turkey, potatoes, vegetables, bread, milk, etc. They would also give eggs, orange juice, cereal, etc. so the family would have something for breakfast.

I, as the group leader, would get a name of family in need of help from Social Services. The youth group members did not know the name of family. They only knew that the family was from their community. I would deliver the food to the family.

The youth group would make money by having bake sales, car washes, etc. to fund this need. It opened the eyes of many youth who didn't realize that not everybody has food on their table.

[HHIgirl]

I just realized something, we all do this random acts of kindness during the holiday season. What about the rest of the year? I wonder how we go about collectively, even though we are in different states doing something like the giving tree in the middle of summer? Any ideas?

I never thought about cleaning supplies. They are expensive and are very needed. Personal hygiene products are also expensive and always needed. Deodorant is costly.

Does anyone have any ideas how to start this summer giving tree?

[Novalee]

My family and I also do the "giving tree" and other holiday-related things, but I love the idea of something more year round! I am open to suggestions, and wouldn't it be awesome if like Jen said, we got it going in all of our little nooks and crannies and posted here about it? Jen, this is so wonderful!

Touche', I also have an Ebay story, one that I will never forget. The week before my Dad's birthday, I was feeling really depressed and missing him something awful. I was also in the process of redecorating my dining room, so I was putting in some searches for particular fabrics. One thing that happened to pop up, was a tea cozy in the fabric I was interested in. This woman's Ebay store was so sweet and charming, and her products were so pretty, I ordered one, even though I didn't have a teapot! Well, long story short, I told the woman how perfectly the tea cozy would look in my "new" diningroom, and although I didn't yet have the teapot, I wanted to order the cozy before someone else bought it. When my package arrived, she had sent me a teapot in addition to the cozy I purchased, along with a note that said her Mom (who made the cozies) was so touched that I had written to them about how beautiful their products were, that she wanted me to be able to use it immediately! That box and her note arrived on my Dad's birthday! I think those 2 ladies are angels, and I told them so.

[beekeeper]

You guys ... these stories are so wonderful! Yes ... I'm tearing up. I LOVE the idea for a Summer "tag" tree ... let's work on this!

I've never personally had anyone "pay it forward" to me, but we have been extremely blessed and we both do whatever we can, wherever and as often as possible. My girlfriends pick on me, but I give money to the homeless on the street corners. Also, whenever I go to Big Lots (a close-out store ... not sure if they are nationwide or not), I put together 2 or 3 little "gift bags, full of personl hygiene products, snacks, SUNSCREEN, gloves or scarves ... it's amazing how much you can do for about $15 a bag. I'm sure that not all of the homeless I give these bags to are all that thankful, but the look in the eyes of those that do is worth every penny ... only wish I could do more!

Big Lot's is a GREAT place for toys, especially at Christmastime! You can buy Barbies for under $5.00!

[Novalee]

Bee, you are so warm-hearted, and it always shows in your posts. God bless you, sweetie. And you know what? Even those who may not seem as if they appreciate it, probably really do. Your gifts may be the only things they "own" for themselves. And if they can't use them, you may give them an opportunity to "gift" someone else, something that may be nearly impossible for them to do otherwise.

[Skeeter]

Well, I typed this in once and lost it. I'm sure this version will never be as good as the first!! :)

I wanted to start by saying hi. Although I don't post here, I do read often, and enjoy your posts.

This thread in particular caught my eye because we are planning a Jr. Hi last day of school lock-in at our church. The theme is "Know God, No Regrets". We are going to show the movie "Pay It Forward", with built in discussion times, as well as other fun breaks.

What the kids don't know is that in the morning, they are going to make breakfast before they go home -- for their teachers!!! They are going to "Pay It Forward" to them. I get teary eyed just thinking of it!!!

We have also ordered some of those bracelets that everyone is wearing now that say "Know God, No Regrets" on them. Each attendee will get 3. One for them, and 2 to give to someone that they need to say "I'm sorry" or something similar to, and then that person will be asked to give theirs to someone else to "Pay It Forward".

I love this concept so very much!!!

For those of you looking for a way to give during times other than the holidays, why don't you go to the GoodWill Store or some other similar store and see what they need? Is there a soup kitchen locally that you could cook for once a month or so? There are lots of things out there to do....you just have to look!!!

Good luck!!

:)

Skeeter

[Novalee]

Skeeter, first of all, welcome! Secondly, thanks for that beautiful post!

[HHIgirl]

Here is just a thought. I am not sure how to go about it. I won't bore y'all with the details but most of you know my situation and stuff. Anyway, I had to pay for medicine this week because of a screw up of somethign else. Which got me to thinking. Wouldn't it be great if people that could afford it helped others out with buying their medication? Some people ca't even meet their co-pay of 5 bucks when it is for 8 different medications. I don't know how to do it without violating privacy issues. I know it is something I want to be able to do if I ever get out of the situation I am in.

I am so touched by everyone's responses and am feeling great enthusiasm swelling inside of me to get this project off the ground. I love the ideas of soup kitchens, goodwill, church groups, etc. I cannot wait to read more posts here with fresh ideas!

[Novalee]

Jen, I like that idea! I always give extra on my utility bills for that reason, but I never thought of medicine. You're right, even a simple co-pay can get out of hand when someone has alot of different SPAMSPAMSPAMSPAMSPAMSPAMSPAMSPAMSPAMSPAMSPAMSPAMs they need.