Pay It Forward Movement

HEBRON -- Everyone wishes they could give money to those in need, Vicki Hersey said.

Being able to afford that is another matter, though -- so when Hersey, 53, was asked to participate in the United Methodist Church of Hebron's first Pay it Forward project, she and other members of the congregation volunteered immediately.

The mission was simple. Each participant received $50 from the church. They would give that money to those who needed it with only one stipulation -- that the recipient pay it forward by performing a random act of kindness for someone else.

Some were nervous. Others eager. Most chose their recipients with care and prayer.

But how much could $50 possibly buy?

It bought rain ponchos for a group of homeless people huddled under a bridge in Columbus. It inspired a man who is handicapped and uses a cushion to soften his wheelchair seat to share an extra cushion with another man who could not afford one.

It paid expenses for a single father with three children.

John Eisel, 62, of Harbor Hills, gave his $50 to a young woman he knew whose mother died, leaving medical bills, funeral expenses and no assets to cover costs.

One of the women who received money has already asked her church's congregation to do the program, too.

Kevin Graff, The Advocate
Leaders and parishioners of the Hebron United Methodist Church gave out $50 to different people who they thought needed a little help with the only stipulation being that theyperform an act of kindness.

The movie "Pay it Forward," released by Warner Brothers in 2000, and the book by the same name, have inspired those from around the country to perform random acts of kindness for friends or strangers in need.

Dot Best tried it during a seasonal trip to Florida, where she is a member of Longboat Island Chapel. When she returned to Hebron, she brought the idea back, too.

The administrative council of the United Methodist Church considered trying it and approved the venture by unanimous vote.

The members don't expect "thank you" cards. Best hopes other churches will try the experiment, too.

The church's pastor, Penny Drenten, has only been with the group for two months, so the project had already begun before she arrived.

"I had never heard of a church doing that before," Drenten said. "I guess I was even somewhat skeptical of using our money this way."

The stories shared by those who participated convinced her that the members made the right choice.

The congregation of approximately 100 regulars is a growing, vibrant community, Drenten said. Children make up a third of the church's population.

They're blessed, Drenten said. They want to share that with others -- and giving money to those who need it, in kindness, is a way to spread love.

"Their desire is to be more effective in the community in spreading God's love," Drenten said. "I think they found this project is one way to start doing that."