I have been thinking about this a lot lately. I love hearing about pay-it-forward Starbucks chains, and people buying lunch for members of the armed forces. But what does paying it forward really mean on a day-to-day basis?
I think about my friends Amy & Keith, who for nine years have hosted an Alex’s Lemonade Stand, raising nearly $100,000 to date for pediatric cancer research. While they have children, they haven’t lost a child to cancer. What kind of ripple effect does their event have in the community? What does it teach their girls about compassion and giving back?
I think about my friend Bhava, who wrote a beautiful post two Christmases ago about a man named Neil he had gotten to know who was struggling with a disability and housing. Bhava asked if people might show Neil some compassion, and some beautiful energy in the form of money, food, and clothing flowed his way. Bhava has never been homeless, but he went through a life-changing terminal cancer diagnosis that changed him forever.
I think about my mother, who for decades has donated blood, knitted hats, and made quilts for others through her church.
I think about my friend Peg, who believes her life was saved from terminal cancer by finding and living at the Optimum Health Institute, where she now works.
And I wonder what “pay it forward” means to you, my readers? I would love to hear your ideas.
How would you spend $250 to pay it forward?
Would you buy school supplies for under-funded teachers? Buy dinner for a fire station? Give to a charity? Add food to a food pantry?
I feel we own a great debt to our wounded vets, many of whom have lost limbs and, as a consequence, their livlihood. My pay-it-forward dollars would go to Wounded Warriors.
Peg, I agree. Thanks for nominating them.
I nominated the Jr El Tour Cycling Program to the Chicken of the Sea pay it forward and am nominating them here too. This program gets kids cycling and through it boosts their self-esteem and health. The staff volunteer the time and it costs the kids nothing. They earn their bike gear and realize they can achieve hard goals, such a completing riding 40 miles in the Tour de Tucson bike race. It made a big difference in my son and my life. My son participated and then became a mentor. I serve as a parent volunteer. I’d give the $250 to this wonderful organization to help sponsor other kids to live up to their potential.
I nominated the Jr El Tour Cycling Program to the Chicken of the Sea pay it forward and am nominating them here too. This program gets kids cycling and through it boosts their self-esteem and health. The staff volunteer the time and it costs the kids nothing. They earn their bike gear and realize they can achieve hard goals, such a completing riding 40 miles in the Tour de Tucson bike race. It made a big difference in my son and my life. My son participated and then became a mentor. I serve as a parent volunteer. I’d give the $250 to this wonderful organization to help sponsor other kids to live up to their pontential.
Lisa, what a cool charity! Thanks so much for nominating them and raising awareness!
Well, I’ve been interested in Mama’s Kitchen for a while. Whether or not I win, I still would like to put some effort into helping them out through volunteering or donation. Our workplace participates in the thanksgiving pie program which is really nice.
Lynn, this is a great charity in San Diego and I’m glad that your idea was randomly selected to be one of the recipients.
I would donate it to a local animal rescue group that runs a spay/neuter program and a pet food pantry for low-income people. To many of these people, their animals are family, and helping them keeps an animal at home and out of an animal shelter, and enriches their families lives as well.
Brandi, you know how much pets mean to me, so I was happy to see that your idea was randomly chosen to receive the money.
I have two charities in mind to whom I would LOVE to pay it forward!!!!!!!!
Susan, congrats on being one of the recipients, and for donating to ALS and to help provide clean water in Nepal.
Right now, I would donate the money to a family friend who lives in Ukraine and has cancer. There is no such thing as medical insurance in Ukraine, and no such thing as payment plans from hospitals, so he pretty much needs to wait until he has the money in hand to start treatment. We’ve personally donated thousands of dollars and started a donation campaign, but cancer treatment is expensive.
(e-mail me if interested in donating, or feel free to contact me through the blog if you are not Stephanie and can’t see my email address)
Kate, thanks for sharing about your friend in the Ukraine. Will be sending good thoughts for healing to them.
I know exactly what I would do! I would spend it on the forgotten people (Seniors)! There is a Senior Apartment Complex in Norman (Northcliff) where about 50 seniors live. I know that fresh fruits and vegetables are difficult for them to purchase – these are subsidized apartments – and so I would spend my $250 at the local Farmer’s Market Saturday morning – then I would take it over to the community room and make sure every single person got a few items they liked for their Saturday night Supper. It’s also the end of the month and a week or so before their social security checks so many are beginning to do without now. When I worked for the state and we had lunch for afternoon cookies served at the convention center where we had trainings – I insisted they be pack up the leftovers so I could take it over there. They love to see me drive up!
Kelli, I love this idea. And even though you didn’t win, thanks for sharing the idea so that others might pay it forward with seniors.
Kelli,
This is a FABULOUS idea! I have an elderly, widowed neighbor for whom I pack up monthly care packages of toilet paper, body wash, scented hand soaps, paper towels… I know these little gifts help her tremendously. Thanks to you, I think I might just include a few fresh fruits, too!
You are appreciated!! :)
I love that you are sharing ideas and inspiring each other. Thank you all.
I would use it for the Randolph Clean Water Initiative, which is about stopping fluoridation in our tiny, rural water supply.
Karen, I love this idea. Thanks for letting others know about the Randolph Clean Water Initiative.