Pay It Forward
December 2nd, 2006
Finally! I am able to post about this because I just got the call related to what I’m planning.
Did any of you watch Oprah last week, when she showed the results of her “Pay It Forward” challenge? For those of you that didn’t see it or can’t be bothered to click that link, one day in October she gave each member of her studio audience $1,000 and a video camera. The catch was, they had to spend the money on total strangers, and they had one week to do it and capture it on film.
It was incredibly inspiring. Some people did basic things like give the $1,000 to one deserving family, whereas others did amazing things like turn that $1,000 into thousands and thousands of dollars for various families, schools and projects in their communities.
The idea is, by giving, you get back tenfold - nothing is better than the feeling you get when you help others. And the good karma points can’t hurt, either.
So, to celebrate my 300th blog post, and my personal record-breaking month of November (over 2,200 unique visitors, 46,000 hits, which is big time for me!) I want to start my own Pay It Forward project. I wanted to do this without the aid of an agency, because I actually wanted to see the faces of the people I’m helping, but it didn’t work out that way because I couldn’t find my “own” family. However, I still get to experience the joy of shopping for the toys, clothes, housewares, food, etc. myself and know I’m helping a family out!
So this is what I have done. Through an Adopt-a-Family agency, I’m going to be receiving (by Monday or Tuesday) a “wish list” of items that this family needs. I told them I’m partial to single mothers that are struggling to get by with 2-3 kids, so they’re going to match me up with one, and then I get to go shopping. (Update: I got a family of 4, mom, dad and two little girls, working hard just trying to make ends meet). The wish lists will contain everything from clothing/shoe sizes of the kids to necessities they need for the home (bedding, dishes), to Sony Playstations and iPods (it is, after all, a wish list. They realize they may not get everything!)
I also want to throw in things like a Spa Day gift certificate for mom, department store gift cards, and cash. There is no limit to what I can put in this hamper. Yahoo! (Although, if I get LOTS of money, I’ll help more than one family, for sure).
This is where all y’all come in, because I personally do not have the money to buy these things. And I know we could all use a little Pay It Forward karma and mushy feelings.
I know that sounds like a tall order, but dream big or go home! WE CAN DO THIS! I HAVE FAITH! I realize by using my own (or, I should say, MS With Attitude’s) PayPal account there is no proof that this money is going to go to this family… all you can do is Trust Me. Those of you that know me in real life or have corresponded with me through email, or even if you’ve just been reading my blog for awhile, should know that there is no way in hell I’m going to take the money and run.
I want this family to have the most incredible Christmas ever, and I’m asking for your help!! Please give whatever you can, every dollar will go towards the things they need, and I will keep you up to date on what I’ve bought! If you don’t want to use PayPal and would rather mail me a cheque, or even send toys, clothes, books, etc., email me and I will send you details on how to go about doing that, and what is needed (when I get their list). Basically my PayPal account has not been used to receive money for MS With Attitude in eons, so every penny that goes in there over the next few weeks will be for this. Any Email money transfers sent to the above address (email me separately with the secret question/answer!) will be for this. If you own a business in Calgary and can help out with gift certificates or raising money, let me know! If you have a blog or journal, please post a link to this entry in your next entry. Email it to everyone you know.
If you are a friend of mine that was planning to buy me a Christmas present this year, I would rather you give the equivalent amount to this than buy me anything. And I know you were gonna spend $100, right? 
I AM SO EXCITED!!!
Update: More information about the family is here and my deadline for accepting contributions is Sunday, December 17 to give me time to get everything ready for delivery on December 19.
Click the button below to use PayPal, and let the good karma begin!!! THANK YOU!!!
There’s GOT to be things in here Momma can donate. Geesh! Collect much?
Ah, so you will be getting a family after all?!? How exciting!! If you’re giving the mom a spa day, though, be sure to include something for babysitting because many single moms can’t do anything for themselves because there is no one to watch the kids.
I don’t do paypal, but I will talk to you in person.
Yeah, after I got off the phone with you, there was an email in my inbox from Adopt-a-family and I talked to the lady for a long time, so it’s all set!
I’m in girlfriend!!! I will donate $250.00 towards the family AND I want to drive the Mom to the spa myself!!!
Call me - you know the number…
Ken…
Donna, you are totally great, you know that? I think you may just be the most amazing person I know.
Totally awesome Donna, what a great thing. I’ll call you later and set it up OK? I’m planning to come to Calgary on Wednesday to get my passport, hoping you have time for lunch and I’ll give you a donation. Too bad I’ve already bought you a present so you’ll HAVE to take that too!
This is SUCH a great idea Donna
Awesome, Donna. We’re doing Adopt-A-Family at work, so I’ve committed to that, and unfortunately I’m not really in a position to give a whole lot by way of money. BUT!!! I can promise you my time and driving talents. If you would like me to take you out shopping to fill out the wish list you just say the word!
This is such a nice idea! We’ve pretty much spent the wad this year but will send a small donation of $100 to help the cause.
$100 SMALL?? That’s huge! Thank you Linda!
Thanks everyone, every little bit helps, $10 here and there really adds up.
What a great idea! I hope my small contribution will help.
Bless you!
congrats on the record setting month!
I came to you via Robyn and I think you are doing an amazing thing. So many people talk about changes that need to happen and here you are actually doing something to make change happen! I hope my small contribution can help. Thanks!
Hi Donna,
I too came via Robyn. I was excited to learn that you are from Calgary as I just moved from Langdon to Seattle this past fall. Good luck and good for you for helping someone in need. It’s sad that in a province like Alberta there are still people that need help, but it’s awesome that there are people like you there to take the initiative. Hope my little bit helps too.
Normally every year i do the shoe box that goes out to under privileged children over seas. Unfortunately this year I have not had the time (I know, I am a horrible person) so I decided to make up for it by helping you out