Pay It Forward Movement News

Mrs. Lisa Burgess's 6th grade class raised approximately $1500 in one day for the family of a handicapped student whose house had burned down--all with the student's own money. When Mrs. Burgess told the class of the news that the Bamber family had lost their home as well as the family pets in an electrical fire, and that they had no homeowner's insurance, she suggested to them to take action to help the family. This is part of her ongoing teachings to do life service work to lead fulfilling lives. The class brainstormed the idea of donating $1 to $5 each. Instead, on the following day, one boy came to class with his Mom and had her write a check from his savings account for all the money he had saved to date, $250.00!! He said he was waiting to find something special to spend the money on, and this was it. The effect snowballed from there: the next child cleaned out his account of $166 dollars, the next brought in $50, some brought in $5, some sought out donations from other classes. Not only did they raise $1500, the students brought in gift certificates for retail stores that they hadn't yet used. They went to local merchants, speaking with store managers to arrange donations to the family, including free meal certificates from local restaurants. When the mother of the handicapped student was notified of the charity and came to pick up the money she was overwhelmed with emotion. Little had the students known, the family had to come up with $1000 by week's end to pay a utility fee -- money that they didn't have. As a mother of one of the students in Lisa Burgess's class I cannot convey in words how grateful I am to have a woman of such love and integrity teaching my child such valuable lessens. My son was BEAMING with pride, and I was moved to tears. I hereby nominate Lisa Burgess's 6th grade class for the Pay it Forward award.
Thank you,
Mary Beth Tang

Read More on this story:
Orange County Register, February 15, 2002
Orange County Register, February 16, 2002

THE PAY IT FORWARD FOUNDATION IS ALSO PROUD TO HONOR THE WORK OF SIX DESERVING HONORABLE MENTIONS:

Mountain Lakes High School, Shasta Lakes, CA

Mountain Lakes is a continuation high school. Mainstream high school didn't work for one reason or another. The students have been labeled by society in most cases as "bad" kids. They are far from it and prove it with their actions within the community. The students offer tutoring through a mentoring program to grade school students, prepare food and gift baskets for those in need at Christmas, participate in blood drives

for the Red Cross and perform various community services for the elderly in the City of Shasta Lake. Their small family learns from the giving to others and hopefully society will learn that these students 'pay it forward' every day for the second chance they get by just being able to give these gifts of their time.

Jefferson Elementary School, West Caldwell, NJ

Under leadership of principal, Ray Hyman, students not only participate in academics, but for the month of May, the school has been involved with "Random Acts Of Kindness" month. Mr. Hyman believes in educating "the whole child" and has supported and encouraged an atmosphere of caring and respect. Signs such as "No Bullying Zone" adorn the hallways. In October, students participated in a walkathon and raised $4000 for four surviving victims of the Seton Hall University fire in January 2000 in which 3 college freshmen were killed. The badly burned victims attended the walkathon and were cheered by the students. Each class adopted projects to help others who are less fortunate by collecting turkeys, a toy drive at Christmas, a canned food collection where kindergartners sought to collect 100 cans of food by the 100th day of school (and collected double the amount), clothing drives, toys and baby clothes for pregnant teens, and cooking meals for area families with financial crises, to name a few. In May, the students raised money for several children's charities by having pajama and crazy hair days where $1 was paid to wear pjs to school. The school gym lists 1,000 acts of kindness. Bird feeders were hand made for trees, and flowers planted in the school garden. Cards were created and placed on cars in parking lots with messages of kindness. Each day, children are reminded how to treat others with respect, to appreciate diversity, and to pass kindness on to others in need.

Hall's Cross Elementary School, Aberdeen, MD

The majority of the 21 students in the fourth grade class Of Jacquelyn McDonald read below grade level. Last year they combined reading practice with community service by purchasing 21 Dr, Seuss books and blank tapes . The students read out loud, recording the books onto the tapes, and then donated the recorded stories and books to underprivileged children.

Uintah Elementary School, Salt Lake City, UT

Once a month, Barbara McKeown's 3rd grade class visits "Our House," a day care center for disadvantaged children, where they host a party for those who had birthdays during the month. The party is complete with cakes, balloons, presents and games. The third grade teams take turns making the cakes and planning the games. They love helping to bring some happiness to these little children and are learning great lessons about serving others.

Holicong Middle School, Doylestown, PA

Last year Tricia Pfeil's 8th grade students did jobs in the community to raise money for their holiday fund. The idea was for them to use their own time to do a job, and then give the money they earned to families in need over the holidays.

Maple Crest Middle School, Kokomo, IN

The 97 student council members were nominated because of their commitment to improving their community and school. In six years, they have raised $30,00 that has been distributed to numerous agencies in need, Each year, they coordinate a project for the Kokomo Rescue Mission (homeless) that involve the entire city. This includes the mayor, fire & police departments, the school system, churches, and businesses. This project brought in over 24,000 toiletry items, 581 new blankets, 100 new bibles & hymnals, copier machine, 1000 smoke detectors, 700 children's books, and more. In addition, the Mission received $7,000 from monetary awards for the student's efforts.

Additional projects include Wheelchair Wash and Senior Citizen Prom, Cancer Society Relay for Life, United Way Day of Caring, Salvation Army Bellringers & Christmas Distribution, Ronald McDonald Pop Tabs, Bona Vista Penny Harvest, Pennies for Patients Leukemia Society, Riley Hospital, March of Dimes, American Heart Association, American Red Cross, Haiti Walk-a-Thon, Camp Awareness for Special Needs Children, American Diabetes, Mental Health Association, Teens Against Domestic Violence, and much more. The students efforts have changed their community . Many lives have improved because of their caring attitudes. The next project includes raising $4500,00 for the new women and children's shelter. They have "adopted" the children's educational room.