Pay it Forward {$100 GC giveaway}


We have all heard of the concept “Pay it Forward” and generally associate it with an unexpected act of kindness. I can recall several times when I was the beneficiary of a “Pay it Forward” act. The most striking occured many years ago when I lived in South Africa. My home was robbed and just about all of my belongings were taken - including my clothes! This was disasterous for me because I worked in a corporate position, had built an expansive business suit collection and found myself with very little to wear. I borrowed clothes from friends and purchased a few items but of course, my wardrobe was still thin. Around this time, a friend of mine whom I’d known only online but had provided guidance for his mom (and met her) when she traveled to South Africa, sent me an email. I told him about what happened and he immediately responded that he wanted to help by sending me $1000!

Yes, you read that right, he wanted to send me $1000 to help me in my time of need. I was so astounded that I told him he’d made a mistake but he quickly informed me that he indeed wanted to send me the money because he was a former crack addict who’d robbed many homes and he wanted to “pay it forward” by helping me! And he refused my offer to pay him back when I was able to! My heart was filled by this man I never met and subsequently lost touch with. 



You have the opportunity to Coca-Cola “Pay it Forward” by nominating an inspiring young person between the ages of 16-21 for a once in a lifetime opportunity apprenticeship with business mogal Magic Johnson, hip hop artist/philanthropist Common  or  CEO of BET Networks Debra Lee. The Coca-Cola “Pay it Forward” program  celebrates and acknowledges the richness of African American heritage and helps parents, relatives, mentors, friends and the community support aspiring young people achieve their dreams by nominating them for unique and exciting apprenticeship experiences. Young people can even nominate themselves! You can make up to 5 nominations and you will be entered to win $5000!

And I’ve been given the opportunity to Coca-Colal “Pay it Forward” prize pack to one of my readers. I want to thank you for reading my blog because you certainly don’t have to! I have a giveaway that I think you will love! 


Giveaway has ended! Congratulations to Rhonda Waller! 

Giveaway

1- $100 Amex Gift Card
1 - Coca-Cola Pay It Forward T-shirt and
1 - Coca-Cola Pay It Forward Journal


You have one mandatory entry (leave a blogpost comment) and several opportunities for additional entries (you can enter daily)! Just check out the rafflecopter below for more information.
So get out there and nominate a deserving young person for the Coca-Cola “Pay it Forward” program and be sure to enter my contest in the rafflecopter below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway




Disclosure: I have received a "Pay it Forward" prize pack from Coca-Cola for sharing information about the program. All opinions are my own.




Comments

I try to do random acts of kindness to help people. The last I remembered was at a lunch date with a group of girls. A single mom there had lost her job so I paid for her lunch. It was a small gesture, but she appreciated it.
kellyr78 said…
We just sent treats & supplies to the troops.
kellywcuATyahooDOTcom
Anonymous said…
We love to do the pay for the person behind you when your in the drive thru - the girls especially love it - they guess how much the bill will be - it feels good and it's a bit of a game for us.
Unknown said…
I am always paying to forward by charities or other help I give those not as fortunate.
The one Pay-It-Forward that affected me most, was when I befriended a homeless lady. I bought her a meal & took it to her in the park where she would always hang out. She told me she did not need the meal, because the Lord always provided for her. She was a very inspiring lady!
Elena said…
I pay it forward by donating to charities and giving money to homeless people
Mami2jcn said…
I donate to my local food bank and to toys for tots.

Name on rafflecopter: Mary Happymommy
Anonymous said…
I pay it forward when I donate food to our town's food pantry each Christmas.

Amanda Sakovitz on rafflecopter
Unknown said…
I Paid it forward by donating to my local charities
rounder9834 @yahoo.com
Anonymous said…
I helped a couple that ran out of gas a week ago
Danielle said…
I've helped a neighbor who need some help after a fire

drellis500(AT)gmail.com
I try to pay it forward by giving things to families I know in need and donating to our church food/baby pantry. sonyadmorris@gmail.com
Unknown said…
i like to donate clothes and food to families in need at our church and in our neighborhood. amypugmire@live.com
Courtney B said…
when me and my husband went and fed the homeless

vanitizebaby at yahoo dot com
I was the recipient recently when someone ahead of me paid my bridge toll for me!
Nikki Lynn Hanna said…
My husband and I go through our closets and personal stuff about every 4 months and donate our stuff we not longer wear or use

greenday14fan@yahoo.com
Unknown said…
Other than giving to Good Will or Easter Seals, toys or clothes or furniture, we have not really been able to pay it forward really.

But I have had it done for me. I was a divorced and dirt poor mom of 3 who had gotten out of an abusive marriage in my late twenties. When I was a 19 year old I had been in a bad car accident and later on had 5 different surgeries on my back. When i was back in the clinic and the doc found out what our family was going through, he came to our apartment before Christmas and simply handed me an envelope with $500 and walked away with a "Merry Christmas". I was able to buy my kids gifts that year and pay what I was short on for rent. I will never forget that as long as I live.

thanks much!

ejrichter60 at gmail dot com
Laura Jacobson said…
My sister and I paid it forward this past Christmas for my little brothers family. He was recently divorced and has the 3 kids. Money was so tight, so my sister and I secretly went shopping for all the kids and gave him bags of stuff including stocking stuff and candy! Made his day and ours too!
Unknown said…
I recently bundled up the eleventeen million boxes of formula samples I received when my son was born, as well as some new baby clothes and items, and donated them to our local women's shelter. They seem to be a charity that is often overlooked and desperately in need.
Cassie Eastman said…
My parents helped us pay to get our backyard fenced in, we live right off the highway and have 2 children so it was an amazing gift!
The Fam said…
I like to keep McDonalds cards in the car to hand to folks asking for help at stoplights.

shannoncarman at yahoo dot com
won said…
After my daughter (who leaves a long legacy of paying it forward) passed away, I spearheaded a group in her memory. Together we did many things that were a balm for the soul.

We sent a boy who was dying from cancer to his prom, with tickets, tux and limo. Another family was home bound with their ill child. We sent them groceries. We sent a family to the state fair when they couldn't afford to go, as the medical bills for their child were too much and the well children were disappointed. We sent Xmas to seven families...and on and on.

All in the memory and honor of Olivia Grace, 1992-2004. When Olivia passed away, she was given the accolade of "One of the Top Twenty Passings" of the year in our state, as a result of giving, kind ways. She was always the first to help those in need.

Love never dies.
won said…
Forgot to say, I'm Wendy T on rafflecopter.

Thank you.
Cinderella10383 said…
I paid it forward this past Christmas. Every year I sponsor a family at Christmas, this year it was my uncle and 2 cousins. Their mom died September 14th 2012 (his wife too) Every penny he makes goes towards bills which he's barely paying on. Last year (2011) they didn't have a Christmas. This year I got them a PS3, got him an RGIII jersey and had lots of people donate money and gift cards to help out. They said they had the best Christmas ever!

Jamie Brigham
PrettyInPinkWife @ aol dot com
Unknown said…
i donate clothes toys and other stuff to the domestic voilance kids center
Unknown said…
When I was helping to take care of my dad during his end-stage lung cancer, a neighbor dropped by with a home-cooked meal and dessert. It was such a small gesture but meant the world to us at that time.
DeniseL said…
I often am the recipient of pay it forward when I use coupons left in the store by "coupon fairies" :)
Kenny Fensom said…
I paid for someone else
Brandon Dithrich said…
i pay it forward by donating to charities for people
sgumer said…
i paid it forward a few times by paying for the person behind me at a drive thru and in line as well as paying for an unsuspecting couples dinner at a restaurant.
lala r said…
i paid it forward by donating for my charities
I pay it forward by donating to charities and helping people when ever they need it!
Sarah VM said…
I was the recipient of a pay is forward. At the drive thru in Starbucks the person in front of my paid for my order. I was so surprised!!
Tina said…
pay it forward by donating food to local food bank
merleandtina@Yahoo.com
Anonymous said…
I was the recipient when my childhood neighbor (who is a college professor)cosigned a loan for me to go go college. My parents did not have enough credit to cosign and my neighbor had enough faith in me and trusted me. What a kind man!

Jennifer Marie

lilnursejen at yahoo dot com

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