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11Alive.com
Pay it Forward: An Atlanta 'Giving Tradition'
Updated 8/12/2008 8:24:08 AM
BY: BILL LISS
The phrase "Pay it Forward" may not be the most common one in your daily playbook, but it's a tradition that's thriving in Atlanta. It's become a part of the Metro Atlanta mentality. Friends and neighbors, regardless of rank or financial stature, watch as good things are done all around them, then without hesitation, they step forward to join the effort and "Pay it Forward." For some, the offers are monetary. For others, it involves goods and services. And for still others, it's the opportunity to volunteer. But in every case, the motivation is the same--a chance to "give back," or put another way, the opportunity to "Pay it Forward."
We saw it first hand as MAKE THINGS HAPPEN worked with Atlanta Fire/Rescue to renovate three Atlanta City Fire Stations (26, 29 and 30). We proudly watched over three years as volunteers came forward to add whatever they could to our efforts, joining the substantial volunteer efforts of Home Depot, Simmons, Rooms-to-Go, Hands on Atlanta, Best Buy, Whole Foods, Comcast and others. None of those who came forward to "Pay it Forward" asked for thanks. In fact, more often than not, they preferred to remain anonymous. Perhaps the biggest single effort to grow out of our project now involves a significant community group planning to do a major renovation at Fire Station 27 on Northside Drive. This group joins many individual contributors who continue to send us e-mails about their personal efforts at Fire Stations throughout the Metro.
We saw "Pay if Forward" first-hand again, when MAKE THINGS HAPPEN worked to secure an ambulance for a newly formed hospital in Harare, Ethiopia <http://www.11alive.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=119679&catid=39> . After we secured the ambulance through the enormous generosity of Metro Ambulance; World Airways took on the huge effort of airlifting the vehicle to Ethiopia. That effort led others to "Pay it Forward" with significant donations of medical supplies; medical books; and office and hospital furniture. And our latest project is again proving why "Pay it Forward" is so much a part of the Atlanta community.
As MAKE THINGS HAPPEN assists the Metro Atlanta Respite and Developmental Services Center in South Atlanta to revitalize its facilities with new furniture, bedding, toys and televisions, this oasis for special needs children is now receiving significant assistance from Atlanta residents who watched our telecasts. After we received invaluable assistance from Rooms-to-Go; The Simmons Company; KBToys; Macy's and Costco, "Pay it Forward" kicked in. Costco was first. The huge discount chain initially gave the Center a new flat-screen television--later installed by a community volunteer. Now it's a weekly supply of baked goods; clothing and other goods.
Next to come forward? home furnishing giant--IKEA. They wasted no time in donating cabinets, bookshelves, lamps, plants and a host of other important accessories.
Next it was Stealth Security. Finding that the Center (located in an unused Atlanta Elementary School) had no workable security system, the Company came forward to install a $6,000 security system, complete with 16 video cameras and sophisticated digital recording equipment.
And that's not all. On the way from volunteers who want to "Pay it Forward," desktop and laptop PC's and other needed accessories. Still others are stepping forward to become volunteers to staff the weekend "sleepover in-house" program for the children. Lisa Conley, the Executive Director of the Respite Center says she is getting e-mails and phone calls daily from people who want to help out and "Pay It Forward" any way they can. The concept has a remarkable domino effect. We hope you may also become involved in whatever community project you can best serve. Let us know about any "Pay it Forward" programs you may be involved with by sending us e-mail at: wliss@wxia.gannett.com. Be sure to include your telephone number and relevant details of the project and your involvement in it.
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