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The Times-Tribune.Com |
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| STAFF REPORT 05/29/2008 “If I pay you a good deed, don’t pay me back, pay it forward.” That’s what three area residents are planning to do if chosen as the winners of The Times-Tribune Pay It Forward challenge. The newspaper received more than 100 “good deed” ideas from area residents on how they would Pay It Forward in their communities. The nominees have been narrowed down to the 10 ideas that best capture the Pay It Forward spirit. “It was a difficult task to complete,” said Cathy Labori, Times-Tribune marketing director. “We read every entry we received. There is so much compassion in our community to help one another and so many individuals and organizations that need that help.” The Readers Choice Award, one of three $500 awards to be presented, will be chosen by the public. To cast a vote, residents can either mail in the ballot that appeared in The Times-Tribune or online at www.thetimes-tribune.com and click on the Pay It Forward link. The deadline to cast a vote is Tuesday. Two additional $500 awards will be presented. The Community Bank & Trust Co. Sponsor Award will be selected by representatives of that company. The Community Panel Award will be selected by a panel of judges consisting of Bill Kelly, president and CEO of WVIA; Dr. Catherine Richmond-Cullen, of NEIU, and Gary Drapek, president and CEO of the United Way of Lackawanna County. The winners will be announced June 15 in The Sunday Times and will have until July 31 to complete their tasks. “We plan to track their progress throughout that time ... and will share their results at the end,” Ms. Labori said. Inspired by Oprah Winfrey’s Pay It Forward Challenge, the idea behind the campaign is: “If I pay you a good deed, don’t pay me back, pay it forward.” The Pennsylvania Newspaper Association Foundation adopted this idea and created a statewide version, which is being carried out by Times-Shamrock Communications dailies and more than 60 Pennsylvania newspapers. |
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