How are you paying it forward?

Demers18 · Dec 20, 2012

My wife and I have been supporting a child in Africa for the past 4 years.
My wife teaches Hula and teaches a few classes a year at the women's shelter.
Before moving to Sudbury I used to help out, offering my plumbing & gasfitting skills, with Habitat for humanity which helps with housing for families in need.

kathyt · Dec 20, 2012

sm4him said:
Well, I can give more recent examples, but one of my favorite is our annual family Thanksgiving gathering.

This was all but about 3 people at our gathering this year:
View attachment 29189

We do have a large, varied family, but not THIS large. We invite people from my sister's ESL class, interns from my cousin's engineering firm (many of whom are local college students who for one reason or another can't go home for the holiday), plus some other assorted folks. This year, some of our guests included poor college kids, families from Ethiopia, India, Syria, Lebanon and somewhere else, but I forget where. If they WANT, they can bring a traditional dish from their culture to share, but otherwise they just come and we feed them and have a great time getting to know each other.

I love this. What a great cultural experience for all of you.

kathyt · Dec 20, 2012

480sparky said:
Just after lunch today, the snow finally quit. Unofficially 14". I got the snowblower out and cleared my drive (not that it'll do much good with 40 MPH gusts till tomorrow....). I saw all the snow the plow driver left in front of the drive of Marlene's across the street. So I went over and made it so she could at least get out of her driveway tomorrow before the 3-foot pile of slush froze solid. I still don't think she knows her drive is cleared off.

My neighbor is retired and gets in his bobcat and plows my driveway after big snow storms. I am always so greatful, because my driveway is super long. I always make him cookies. Maybe thats why he continues to do it.

cpeay · Dec 20, 2012

Nothing compared to you guys but last week instead of giving out traffic tickets to people I stopped, I gave them a candy cane instead.

thetrue · Dec 20, 2012

cpeay said:
Nothing compared to you guys but last week instead of giving out traffic tickets to people I stopped, I gave them a candy cane instead.

Oh no, the fuzz!!!!!!!! I think you might have saved people a collective few thousand dollars...?

DannyLewis · Dec 21, 2012

I help pay for my neighbors kids Sylvan Learning. about 350.00 a month. 2 more months then its off to something else.

kathyt · Dec 21, 2012

cpeay said:
Nothing compared to you guys but last week instead of giving out traffic tickets to people I stopped, I gave them a candy cane instead.

I like this one!

terri · Dec 21, 2012

cpeay said:
Nothing compared to you guys but last week instead of giving out traffic tickets to people I stopped, I gave them a candy cane instead.

Are you kidding?! That's hu-u-u-ge! No one likes getting pulled over, they know they've been naughty, and to be let off with a candy cane is amazingly generous. Hopefully they'll take the hint, know they got away with one and do a better job of driving.

tirediron · Dec 21, 2012

Throughout the year I do what would amount to at regular rates, about $3-4K worth of pro bono work, mostly for local animal shelters.

runnah · Dec 21, 2012

Besides enlightening you all with my insights, i do mange a few "on the house" websites for animal shelters and local organizations.

BlackSheep · Dec 21, 2012

Other than the usual volunteering & donations, I have a random habit of clearing the snow off of other people's cars in parking lots. I love seeing that suprised/relieved look on their faces when they come outside and see their car all cleaned & ready to go

kathyt · Dec 21, 2012

The_Traveler said:
Can't we all agree that all of us responded here are truly wonderful people and really must better than anyone else on this site not to mention the scum of the outside world?

Oh traveler, oh traveler. Where art thou traveler. Don't make me call you and sing Christmas carols, because I will!

Willieboy · Jan 4, 2013

I give to the Wounded Warriors Project and through the church. I try to offer of my time helping out at church but at my age, that is becoming more difficult. I am mostly involved with helping the children, but also serve as part of the church's armed security team. My main job is to protect the children in classrooms studying the Bible while the church service is carried on.

At Christmas time, my wife, kids and I have forgone gifts for each other and instead bought gifts for the children of single moms at church. I've kinda adopted three of these children and I consider them to be as my grandchildren. They make my day and I'm the one who is blessed.

Once bought a basket full of food at the grocery store for a family who had three or four children and a full load of groceries. These people were so shocked they nearly fell over. They were Asian and could not speak English, but it was clear they appreciated the gesture.

There really are endless opportunities to be kind, if we just soften our hearts and do so. Nothin' to it but to do it.