| Dear
"Pay it Forward (PI4W)" Volunteers:
Thanks so much for your offer to help on "Pay it Forward on
Public Square
Day"...
As a quick update:
a.. The inspiration for Pay it Forward Day is the homeless story
below.
b.. However, PI4W is not only directed toward homeless people. It's
directed to all people. No judgment.
c.. The idea is pretty simple, on 9-17-03, roughly between 11 AM
and 2 PM,
about 10-15 of us (you) will be on Public Square sending the following
message:
a.. "Pay it Forward". "Here's a small token (water,
coffee, perhaps a
cookie)... The price? ... We just ask that you do something good
for
someone else - when they least expect it!"
b.. That's it - that's the script!
d.. The City is allowing us to us the NW, NE and SW quadrants of
the
Square.
e.. We'll have three "stations" set up. We are grateful
to The Club at
Key Center, the Marriott and others, who will be contributing many
of the
"goodies".
f.. What if it rains? This is rain or shine event! Sue and I will
have
an umbrella for each of you in case it gets wet out there. Colortone
Staging and Rental is donating two 10'X20' tents... in case it gets
really
ugly out there.
g.. Arrival time: If you can meet us at the Library of the Club
at Key
Center at 11:00 AM, you'll be part of the initial set-up team. It
won't be
much to set up... But the help will be appreciated... If you can
be there
for this early "launch", it would be great to see you...
h.. FYI, we'll need to vacate The Club - and be set-up on the Square
- by
11:30 AM. So, if your donation-of-time starts later than 11:00 AM.
Just
show up on the Square. You'll find us. We'll arm you with a "Pay
it
Forward" sticker or button... and you'll be good to go. Stay
as long as you
can. No offense if you can't stay the whole time.
i.. End time? 2 PM ish... Or when we run out of stuff!
Again, thank you. Looking forward to seeing you.
Just let Sue or me know if you have questions.
Regards,
Craig
Respected Friends
and Colleagues...
An invitation:
a.. Homeless people were attacked on Public Square last month
b.. After the attack, a radio station exploited their pain
c.. A few of us would like to make a positive difference - no matter
how small... A "pay it forward" of sorts
d.. Our little effort is called "Pay it Forward on Public Square
Day"
on 9-17-03, approx 11 AM to 2 PM
e.. Please join us for 5 minutes, an hour... or two. Anything
matters. Help us hand out "pay it forwards" to anyone:
The Homeless,
Business People... Anyone on Public Square. No judgment.
f.. Just let us know via "reply" to this message
g.. The letter below explains further... And/or, call me (Craig)
with
questions, 216.533.9162
h.. Our friends at the Club at Key Center (Bill Loveday) will be
anonymously donating water, coffee, cookies and perhaps more
All the best,
Tony, Lisa, George, Bill, Sue & Craig
The Letter:
We had to write this letter after awaking very early this morning
and
reflecting on the conversations we had regarding an August 17th
article in
the Plain Dealer Metro Section.
The article referred to the teenagers who attacked homeless people
on
Public Square on August 9th. We are disturbed not only by the cruel
acts of
the teenagers, but also by a radio station that would profit from
the
delivery of additional pain. Toward the end of the article, it was
explained
that days after the teenager's acts, a radio station orchestrated
a remote
show on Public Square. They paid homeless people $10 in cash and
gave them a
$20 food coupon if they would agree to be shocked by a stun gun.
Evidently
the majority of the callers to the show thought the segment was
"funny".
The radio station condemns the teenager's acts, but considers their
own
acts acceptable since they had "willing participants".
We ask if they've
heard of extortion? Offering hungry people food, but only if they
let you
hurt them seems to us to be more like extortion than free will.
Was the
radio station conducting a science or sociological experiment? ...
Or were
they after ratings?
Outrageous. We wonder if they imagined someone they loved... their
spouse, child or elderly parent - dazed and unable to walk for several
minutes because they were shocked by a stun gun. All for money.
We're not sure which is worse, inflicting pain for "fun,"
or inflicting
pain for money - but we do know that neither is acceptable. Neither
is
humane.
Looking Forward, Paying It Forward:
It's an odd coincidence that on or about that same date of August
9th, a
dear friend of ours and Craig were chatting comfortably within the
cozy
library of the beautiful Club at Key Center... Literally, within
arms' reach
was anything anyone could want; tea, coffee, cookies - whatever.
They
talked, reflecting upon the imbalance in the world... and considered
the
fact that within a short walk there is a very different picture.
Craig & Tony agreed that they wanted to do something positive
about the
picture - no matter how minor the effort or effect. What came from
the
discussion was the idea "Pay it Forward on Public Square Day".
A day when
people do some positive act, perhaps as simple as giving bottled
water to
people passing by... business people, homeless people... anyone.
No
judgment. Another friend, Bill, joined the discussion, and the date,
time
and theme were set: Lunch time on September 17, 2003. The details
had yet to
be determined. But we established a date.
Therefore, on September 17th, you will find folks by the names of
Tony,
Lisa, Bill, Craig & Sue standing there. Rain or shine . . .
handing out
water, coffee, cookies - whatever. Then again, it may not be just
us. The
plan is to approach individuals and businesses located on Public
Square and
beyond to help in the effort. It might be you too. If you're interested
in
contributing, contact us at pi4ward@hotmail.com
Craig James
Sue James
CARRY FORWARDS ON PAY IT FORWARD
DAY:__________________________________________
Volunteer and Donator:
> Sue/Craig.... you are VERY welcome. THANK YOU for letting me
be a part of
your glorious day! It was really cool to see your staff out there
working
for EVERYONE. Also, I went back to class at St. Mary's and we are
starting
our own "PAY IT FORWARD" group. The kids are excited as
the staff. NOW what
have I gotten myself into to???!!!!???
>
> The hats were from DDS (Dyment Distribution Service) on Westwood
Dr. in
Strongsville (Dave Dobson)
>
> The candy was from B.A. SWEETIE CANDY on Brook Park Rd.
Cleveland/Parma/Brooklyn??? (Tom)
>
> and the Donuts.....Dick's BAKERY in Berea...(Mrs. Baker)
>
> PLEASE let me know when the next event will take place...there
will be
another, right?!
>
> Love ya Lots!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
_____________________________________________________________
Pedestrian we met on 9-17:
Craig,
I have to tell you there is a HUGE difference in the atmosphere
today.
Everyone is being so friendly and smiling and courteous. It's amazing.
I was in the elevator and a man and another lady and I started talking.
I
mentioned how friendly everyone was being. The man voiced the thoughts
in
my head, "It's the Pay It Forward Water".
I thought you might enjoy hearing that story.
Regards,
Gina
__________________________________________________
"Remote" Volunteer:
Craig and Sue,
First applause and congratulations once again for taking on a very
noble
cause.
I hope you know me well enough to know that if there was any way
I could be
there along side you tomorrow, I would be there. I've sat on a response
to
this, hoping things would clear up and I would find the time, but
it's just
not there. I will however donate some clothes a couple of mildly
used
jackets this weekend to the Salvation Army. Wishing you much success
tomorrow and enjoyed hearing Craig, talk a little about this on
the Asian
Hours with, Anthony Yen.
Regards,
Ed
___________________________________________
"Remote" Volunteer:
>>Hi Craig,
>>
>>Mark Fleischer's things emails. I feel so badly about being
booked this
>>week. I will do something in the Strongsville area. And
please let me know
>>if you do something like this again - I would love to join
in.
>>
>>Congrats on your efforts.
>>
>>Kelley
____________________________________________
Plain Dealer caption in the Metro Section on 9/18:
"Day of Kindness Lisa Tomlin-Houston, left, greets David Headen
during a
community 'Pay It Forward' event. A dozen community activists, disturbed
by
last month's assault on homeless men in Public Square, brought kindnesses
there yesterday instead. Lunchtime pedestrians accepted free cookies,
water, doughnuts, caps, and candy in exchange for agreeing to do
something
nice for someone else."
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