The notion is not new, I'm sure you have heard the phrase, Pay It Forward. Some of you may have seen the movie 'Pay It Forward'
I believe this means that if something good happens to a person he/she turns around and does good for someone else. This could be as simple as lending an ear to someone that needs to talk, canned food drive, helping an animal shelter by donating food, blankets or money, even participating in a toy drive. Paying it forward isn't just a good deed during the holiday season. One can do a good deed year round.
Belinda Spillman is sponsoring her second annual Pay It Forward challenge on Active Rain and I've decided to share a couple of activities a few Realtors from our Fort Worth office participated during December including myself.
Early December our office sponsored an appreciation dinner for our clients at a local diner near the TCU College at Freds Texas Cafe, they have one of the best burgers in Fort Worth. We were also collecting can food for the area shelter and asked guest to bring items that night. We collected many cans, boxes and even checks to donate.
During November and December we hosted a blanket drive for an area near downtown Fort Worth that many homeless men, women and children frequently find lodging on the streets, under bridges and between buildings. We collected hoodies, blankets and gloves for over a month.
One evening, the week of Christmas we met at our Fort Worth Office, loaded our vehicles with the donations and drove to our designated area. Honestly there were not as many people on the street as I expected. We parked and handed out the items we collected to a variety of people. Some had their belongings in a backpack while others were laying among a pile of gathered various items. We then drove to different areas until all the blankets were passed out. I enjoyed talking to the few I had a chance to meet. Although the recipients were thankful, some asked for food.. next year I plan to have food, pre packaged items that can be carried and consumed easily.
Paying it forward, an act of kindness, is not just something to do during the holidays. Throughout the year, I donate items to Goodwill and the local Community center. I'm looking forward to finding other groups in our community during the year 2016 that could use a helping hand.
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