 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Pay It Forward Movement News |
 |
| CHATHAM
DAILY NEWS, JANUARY 25, 2002
CHATHAM-KENT TO HOLD CANADA'S FIRST PAY IT FORWARD DAY MARCH 21ST By Pam Wright
Activism, good deeds and a splash of Hollywood will come together March 21 when the first Pay It Forward Day in Canada is held here in Chatham-Kent. Pay it Forward is a movement that encourages people to perform kind acts, based on a novel and movie of the same name. The book's author, Catherine Ryan Hyde, will travel from California to help local residents pass on the novel's message. The critically acclaimed novelist and award-winning short story writer will attend a book signing and silent auction in Chatham Mar. 20. On March 21, which is also the United Nations Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, Hyde will deliver a speech in Wallaceburg and listen to actual Pay It Forward stories. Her talk will be followed by a live broadcast of local student and church choirs singing a unity peace song across the municipality at 11 a.m. The seed for Pay It Forward was planted over 20 years ago. Hyde was driving home late one night in an impoverished area of Los Angeles when her aging car caught fire. She jumped out and then saw three men racing toward her with a blanket. Hyde thought she would be mugged, but instead the trio put out the blaze and called the fire department. When she turned to thank the men for their help, they were gone. The helping hand spurred her to write the novel, a fictional tale of a Grade 7 student named Trevor McKinney, who is challenged by his teacher to devise a plan to change the world. He comes up with the idea to choose three people and do something special for each one of them. They in turn, will choose three more people and so on. The movement -- which includes the newly established Pay It Forward Foundation -- has been popularized by the Warner Brothers movie Pay It Forward. Haley Joel Osment stars as Trevor, Helen Hunt is his mother and Kevin Spacey is the teacher who inspires his student to alter the world by helping others. Maureen Geddes, chairwoman of the event, said paying it forward can be as simple as "buying a coffee for someone or smiling at a stranger." Or it can be as big as 'healing a family rift" or "taking a chance on a business partnership overseas." But it also
involves not calling attention to the action, she said, and not
expecting anything in return. She explained that the idea for the day was hatched while brain-storming with other Chatham-Kent activists last November. The meeting jelled into the formation of committee that includes representatives of Human Resources Development Canada, United Way of Chatham-Kent, St. Clair College, Chatham and District Chamber of Commerce, Capitol Theatre, the municipality and private citizens. Committee member Janice Lasell said Hyde's publicist said the author is keen to come to the area. Lasell said
she is especially interested in Chatham-Kent's historical connections
to the Underground Railroad. She hopes other Canadian communities will join Chatham-Kent residents to bring the Pay It Forward movement to life. "We're inviting the rest of the country to join us." Besides bringing peace to the community, organizers hope to make global connections through the Pay It Forward event. "Starting
this is part of how Chatham-Kent pays it forward, to the rest of
the world," said Geddes. Information on how to become a Pay It Forward volunteer agency, school or business is available. If interested in joining the Pay It Forward movement, contact Geddes at 354-4260, the chamber at 352-7540 or the United Way, at 354-0430. CHATHAM-KENT PREPARES TO "PAY IT FORWARD" --CHERYL HEATH
Pay It Forward was more than a critically acclaimed book. Indeed, to the Chatham-Kent Action Planning Group, it is an inspiration. After months of planning, the group is ready to Pay It Forward -- in a big way. For those who aren't hip to the 'Pay It Forward' novel (and later, a movie), the idea behind it is to give, volunteer or offer up time/cash/treasured positions to three people in. exchange for a good deed -- with the ultimate reward being to enjoy the fruits of a selfless act. And, judging by the group's plans so far, the Chatham-Kent initiative will likely draw attention from municipalities, nationwide. For starters, Bob Fox has announced that the Capitol Theatre plans to step into the fray by lighting up its marquee March 20 with a 'Pay It Forward' sign for a public assembly which will include the participation of the RCMP in full dress as well as the Chatham-Kent firefighters, who will also be in ceremonial dress. The group will then move on to the Civic Centre for an official mural unveiling, followed by a reception, book signing by Pay It Forward author Catherine Ryan Hyde, speeches and a silent auction. However, the actual 'Pay It Forward' day is set for March 21 wherein a slew of special activities are set to take place across the Municipality -- including an extended lunch, featuring the author, at the Oaks Inn. "The 21st is, the big day," says Wallaceburg councillor Chip Gordon, a member of the planning committee. Gordon says the Municipality of Chatham-Kent is the first to offer up such a day in the nation. And, he notes, Chatham-Kent Mayor Diane Gagner will get officially proclaim March 21 as 'Pay It Forward' Day later this month. But, before all that can happen, organizers are appealing to the community for input in a number of areas. For one, the group is looking for 'Pay It Forward' stories. In essence, Chatham-Kent residents who have the recipients of "good" tell their story and the Kent Writers' Guild takes it from there. Those with stories to tell are urged to contact Imagination Ink at 360-9711 or they, can e-mail the company at imaginink@hotmail.com Schools in the region are getting into the act as well. Two Grade 7 students from each school in the Municipality will be asked to participate in a Peace sing-along at the Wallaceburg event. Also, student councils at each school will be encouraged to come up with their own ways to get involved. Area businesses will also be on board as approximately 250 signs, featuring the slogan "We're Partners in Pay It Forward," will be up in store windows. "This is going to be huge," says Gordon, acknowledging he is not quite sure how he plans to "pay it forward" March 21 as "I try and do that every day." COURIER PRESS,
FEBRUARY 6, 2002 ALL THAT GLITTERS PAYING IT FORWARD Some people say I'm crabby. When they do, I respond with a gentle eye roll or mumble something like, "chomp thyself." But the truth
is, I have big, old soft spot that's a mile wide (or 1.6 kilometres
for all you friends of metric) whenever I see a kindly act perpetrated
that is genuinely selfless. I mean, eegads, say what you will about tree hugs, and the like, but this committee's work is truly commendable. Indeed, the idea behind it is just about enough to invoke a soft (and dare I say socialistic?) tear from the corner of even the grumpiest of the grump's eye. "What is she babbling about?" you say? I'm talking about the Pay It Forward day set for March 21, people! It is inspired by author Catherine Ryan Hyde's book (of yes, the same name) which tells the story of a little boy's campaign (with the help and support of his teacher) to ensure that each good deed is rewarded three-fold in an orchestrated effort to make this big, ole' tubby world of ours a better place. "How do I groove to this three-fold thingie?" you ask. Well, how is this for an example; Lets say my fine coworker, Don says, "Cheryl, you are such a swell lady that I don't think it's fair that you work weekends when you could be at home watching movies and petting your basset hounds. So, from now on, I insist on working every extra shift." Ah yes, that would be a truly selfless act. In turn, I would then come up with three things that would be much appreciated by others -- whether it be for my spouse, coworkers, friends, neighbours or passersby. For instance I could give my gigantic orange to our receptionist Bev as she covets it so. Then I could remove the saucy sign that -- unbeknownst to him -- is on the back of sales rep Dave Gervason's car. Finally, I could buy our production guru, Wendl, a mondo box of chocolate since we've all been known to pilfer goodies from her work station. Granted, none
of these things is great in itself, but, put into context, they
are steps in the right direction. In all "seriousity," I must say that I was rather touched this past weekend when I drove into one of those annoying municipally run parking lots and found a ticket in the slot that was valid until much later in the day. What kind of person, I wondered, is so thoughtful that they actually put their parking validation slip back into the machine for another person -- a complete stranger at that -- to use? It may sound trivial, but I can honestly say that I haven't seen such a gracious gesture in Heavens knows how long. Which, of course, is the point. Pay it forward. Be good to each other. At the end of the day, even the tiniest act can make all the difference in the world. Ah yes, and for the record, I put that validation slip back in the machine when I left the parking lot. And, thanks to that stranger, I have a new way of both helping fellow parkers and thwarting the diabolical parking validation babe!
If Maureen Geddes
and her Pay It Forward activists get their way, bright new murals
could soon adorn the Chatham-Kent Civic Centre and other municipal
buildings. The local group
is part of an international sect which is organizing to help people,
in the- same manner as in the book and movie, Pay It Forward. Instead
of repaying a good deed, the plan is to perform a helping task on
someone else and so on. She said a conceptual mural will be on display at the Park Avenue Business Centre from Feb. 27 to March 1. Council received the request and Mayor Diane Gagner said she will make the declaration for the national day closer to the actual date.
Choose three
people and do something nice for each one of them that they can't
do for themselves. Then they do it for three more people, and they
do it for three more… And you ask for nothing in return, only
that the recipient pay it forward to three other people… I think we live in a very kind and caring community where nice deeds are done daily, but the idea of concentrating this kindness into one day may show how our individual actions can make a difference in other people's lives. We don't always need that pat on the back or recognition for a good deed done, we should be content in the knowledge that we helped someone, no matter how small the gesture. We often joke about having done our "good deed for the day", but how many of us actually do try to perform at least one good deed a day? I think we will all find that doing a nice deed for someone else is a win-win situation. Both the giver and receiver are left feeling good. What's also important to remember is that kindness has no cost, yet it is priceless. A kind deed could be as simple as a smile, a handshake, an encouraging word, or holding a door open. On March 21 and every day, be kind. Kindness is contagious. LETTER OF THE
WEEK Dear Editor, There are endless ways to pay it forward - you can do good deeds, say hello to a stranger, take a chance on a business partnership in a developing country…only you know when it is something really big for you to give. And then you ask for nothing in return - only that the recipient pay it forward to three others. This is an opportunity to put Chatham-Kent in the national headlines for positive community building. The author of Pay it Forward, Catherine Ryan Hyde, has accepted our invitation to be part of the first Canadian Pay it Forward Day. Now, the community needs everyone to be involved. Read the book or watch the movie then share your ideas with others. Then do good deeds and encourage others to Pay it Forward. On March 20 meet Ms. Ryan Hyde in Chatham and hear about and enjoy how good it feels to both give and receive. On March 21 at 11 a.m. everyone in the community is asked to sing the Peace Song - this includes businesses, schools, volunteers, seniors, parents and children of all ages. On Pay it Forward
Day we will unveil the "Chatham-Kent Global partners for Peace
and Prosperity." All 192 countries of the world are touched
by Chatham-Kent and vice-versa. Chatham-Kent has a wide variety
of business, government, education, and not for profit partnerships
operating successfully throughout the community and throughout the
world. You can play a big or small part. Choose to help make the
world a better place. |
|||