What is paying it forward?
The core idea behind paying it forward is the importance of kindness. Paying it forward is about doing random acts of kindness. The more unexpected, the better! Unexpected kindness improves the world – it communicates how much we value each other as humans and tells people – even people we don’t know – that they matter and are valued.
It has been quite a year! The world, and each person you pass on the street needs kindness now more than ever! Our nerves are frayed and our souls are a little bruised from all the unexpected changes. What did you do to make someone’s world a little better today?
I did my first pay it forward. I was just at the grocery store, paid for my groceries. Police officer stepped up to the cashier while I was bagging the last of my groceries.
Cashier rang him up and I told her it was on me. Mr officer said “oh my god someone still likes us” and of course he thanked me a million times. And the people around us thanked him and we told him that of course we liked him.
– Thanks BL!
I’m honor of Thor, I remind people why and how we serve and protect others and ourselves. I also try to encourage officers everyday to stay positive!!
-Jenise Elder
Thanks Jenise!
The other day I was at the bank being helped by the usual teller who always goes out of her way to ask me how my day is going. I could tell she was having a lousy morning and I asked how she was doing. She told me that she just couldn’t wake up and that she was really missing her morning coffee, which obviously didn’t have for some reason. After my transaction I went down the street to buy her a coffee. As I proceeded to purchase the coffee, the owner of the establishment handed me the coffee and said it was “on the house”! I returned to the bank and gave the teller her coffee, and I really hope it improved her day…
The other day I was at the bank being helped by the usual teller who always goes out of her way to ask me how my day is going. I could tell she was having a lousy morning and I asked how she was doing. She told me that she just couldn’t wake up and that she was really missing her morning coffee, which she obviously didn’t have for some reason. After my transaction I went down the street to buy her a coffee. As I proceeded to purchase the coffee, the owner of the establishment handed me the coffee and said it was “on the house”! I returned to the bank and gave the teller her coffee, and I really hope it improved her day…
I sent an email to my local police chief thanking him for his hard work and high standards.
I gave a larger than normal donation to a couple pan handlers on Michigan Avenue yesterday. I only had a $10 and a couple $20 dollar bills in my wallet and thought about stopping somewhere to get the bills changed. I knew there would be people asking for help as I walked north.
Before I had the chance to get change I walked past a guy who looked me square in the eye when he asked for help, so I gave away the ten dollar bill. A little further on I passed another person with a cup stretched out and a big smile So I gave him a twenty dollar bill.
My reward was the surprise and then thanks from each of them. Gigi
Here’s my kindness: I gifted a recycled glass heart and a listening ear to a dad whose 10 year old son died six years ago. He told me that he loved when people asked questions about Jasper and that after six years the opportunities to share stories are fewer and farther between. Knowing that Thor was a mentor for so many and a kind man, this feels like a kindness that would matter to him.
I tipped $30 on a $50 check for Hayley, who was spirit and soul and service all combined into one! Thanks Hayley in Sparta, WI!
I also bought one of those food bank bags at the Food Co-op in Viroqua, WI where I know it will be full of healthy food! Yay Viroqua stay quirky and fabulous!
saw an elderly man waist deep inside of a garbage can collecting cans. Engaged in a short conversation and learned he makes .50 cents a pound for the cans. A full Garbage bag yields $1 profit. Handed him $40… felt so good to help him. Thanks Jennifer and Thor
Washington – you’re the best! much love! Jen
Learned that a friend ships clothing and toys to people in need in Honduras. Family and I gathered toys and clothing and donated it. Glad I was able to pay it forward in memory of Thor
David – thank you so much for sharing!
A bride texted me this morning (7/6/21) to tell me they will not be able to host their wedding celebration at our venue on September 4, 2021 which was booked on August 11, 2020. “Something bad happened”. I am refunding $2,800 keeping only $300 for administrative expenses.
Donna – what a kind and generous moment! Thank you!
I gave extra money at a blueberry farm so that little kids who come can pick for free! And they will hear all about Thor when they do!
I gave 10 $10 gift cards to 10 Chicago officers in Thor’s honor.
I have closely supported a former colleague with a listening ear through many family and health challenges – When he was on the East Coast I did supply him with his RXs via priority mail. The box of his refill meds was quite large so to pack it not to rattle i used snicker candy bars and food items in little snack packs.
Medicine comes in many forms you know.
Offered a healing session as a gift to someone in need.
I am providing 3-4 hours of clinical supervision to a new therapist who is needing the last hours before licensure. Whatever they pay me will be donated to an organization that serves the Austin community (Task Force Prevention). I have asked the clinician to participate in Pay it Forward as well.
I remember Thor by watching for people in need. Even though I have health issues I stopped and helped someone who was trying to change a tire.
I stopped by the side of the road to help a driver change a tire.
Purchased coffee for the person behind me in the drive through this morning 🙂
I gave money to a friend of mine who was very worried about being able to pay for school this fall to help him cover tuition.
I served in a neighborhood soup kitchen this evening to provide dinner
I over heard an older gentleman asking for help at Walgreens. He was waiting for a worker. I went up to him and told him I can help carry his items and did.
I bought dinner for the you g actors at the table next to me as a surprise and gave them a pay it forward button. They said they would pay it forward too!
One small act of kindness was that we encouraged the Navy veteran and thanked them at the Detroit airport when we came in on Thursday night.
We took a widowed friend out to dinner while visiting with her.
Every time I drive through a Starbucks I pay for the drinks in the car behind me in Thor’s name.
I took my team out to dinner in order to lay it forward for Thor!
I am afraid that today I didn’t have much of an opportunity to commit a random act of kindness, as I went from home to car to office and then back again (a bit ironic as on a typical day I engage with strangers in all kinds of positive ways), hermetically sealing in work. But throughout the day I HAVE been thinking about Thor and what it means to pay it forward, and had the thought that underneath acts of kindness is a place of gratitude. This reminded me to look away from my stress, what is lacking, a string of disappointments, all the things that could be, SHOULD be better, and instead listen to the quieter voice about what is good. So, I am not sure an act of kindness to oneself counts, but I think it helps open the gift of kindness to others. I ended the day risking a hug for someone I had only just met, someone who is perhaps a bit more formal than me and not used to hugs after a professional meeting. But given what we spoke about, I sensed she needed one and so reached out. She hugged me back. <3
Shared Pay it Forward Day email content on Facebook.
Arranged a pay it forward fund at BillyBoys Blueberry Farm to cover the cost of blueberries for children picking their own, adults who could use some support and paying the difference for folks who run out of money when paying. The owner knows how to recognize folks who would benefit. She also knows what it means to be a Gold Star family, having lost a son in Afghanistan. Bob
Picked up the check for a family with young children at Braceros Mexican Restaurant, a place we enjoyed dining with Thor and Jennifer. They accepted with a “God Bless” and appreciated hearing Thor’s story and Pay it Forward Day in his honor.
I gave $20 to guy asking for money at I-94 on-ramp.
I made 3 cakes for my dear friend’s 80th birthday party. We celebrated with 35 of his closest friends. I have been thinking about Thor each time I have offered a random act of kindness to anyone in this last week. Thank youThor, for helping us to remember that what we do and how we treat others and ourselves, makes a difference. People die, but love does not die, it is recycled from one heart, from one life, to another.
Donated to the local Love Fridge in my community.
I left $10 at a disc golf course for someone to play who couldn’t otherwise afford it or lost their wallet!
I bought lunch for a Jackson County police officer named Vincent.
I complimented all of the workers on their good job today
I helped advertise non-profit activities on facebook
I paid for the orders behind me at DD and Starbucks.
I donated to the Thor Soderberg Fund!
I bought chips as requested by the homeless man outside of Walgreens. I also offered him a ride to the shelter and to the local food pantry for more food but he refused.
I bought the animal control officer breakfast and coffee.
Treasured animal rescue inc.org
I’m working with a young man who is the son of immigrants to America to help him get his future on track. After high school, he didn’t want to go to college – too hard to see a path there since no one in his family had traveled that road. After a couple years of trying the Marines and a minimum wage job, he wants to shoot for a college education. We meet every week for the past six months to get him on track for a community college 2+2 program this fall that will set him up for a college degree in accounting. Takes a lot of fortitude on his part and I’m privileged to know such an outstanding young man. Cheers to Thor and Jen and their shared dedication to making the world a better place through individual acts of kindness and humanity.
This was my first year! I stopped and talked with someone outside of the local Jewel and picked him up some food & toiletries.
I bought a bunch of pizzas to be delivered to the Spirngfield Police Department at lunchtime and called the “complaints and compliments” line to tell them lunch was coming. They asked for my name so they could post or send a note and I said that wasn’t necessary that it was to thank them, remember Thor, and to please post this website. ❤️
Collected bags of clothes for struggling Los Angeles youth, focused on professional and nicer clothes (suits, dresses, and definitely some belts). Tio Thor taught me that every time we invest in our community, our community pays it forward.
I bought groceries for the uniformed solider in line behind me at Mariano’s and told her about Thor.
Took a teacher friend out to dinner after a long year for her.
This week I had some home improvement work done. Most times we think about how much we are paying for the service and leave it at that but this week I noticed that the workers were in the hot and humid outdoors digging into mud and sewer waste, professional every moment, never complaining. Yes, they were being paid to do the work but they went beyond by maintaining that upbeat attitude. I decided to give a small monetary token to each worker, the surprise on their faces, a couple even refusing saying that it wasn’t necessary (we convinced them to take the small token of appreciation) touched my heart. Showing a little unexpected kindness resonated with these workers. They know someone saw their hard work and thanked them for that work ethic and professionalism. I learned that many things are just everydayish, going through the motions and our usual laissez faire attitudes (eg. how they’re getting paid so there is no need for anything extra) but we can be better just being saying thank you and recognizing the “ordinary” people that come into our lives.
Susan (Thank you Thor)
Gave our pretty awesome seats at an outdoor jazz fest to an older couple struggling to find a place to sit. They were deeply appreciative and we told them Thor would love for them to enjoy the night and “pass it on”!
We took dessert to the local police station, brought lunch to 10 homeless people & lunch to a home bound lady. Love & miss you Thor.
I donated supplies needed for our church’s vacation bible school. The kids had a great time and learned about positivity, sharing and kindness.
On July 7 I spent my day searching for a missing person in eastern Virginia. Fortunately she was found alive. That is the kind of work Thor would do. I am honored to pay this forward in his honor.
I am helping a young professional who graduated during COVID. I am helping her with her resume, cover letter, applications, and to raise her confidence for her first ‘real’ job.
I was Walking with Tyrone two days ago and a woman was having trouble with her bags while she tried to step off the curb at the very windy corner of 53rd and Hyde Park Blvd. He was literally mid trash pick up (which is very special) when he spotted this lady and ran over to her to ask if she’d like help. Indeed she did and he carried her bags for her while allowing her to hold his hand across the street.
Helped cleaned my neighbors kitchen!
I’ve been following the travails of a midwestern farm family whose patriarch developed COVID-19 over a year ago. Though he survived, the family has suffered greatly due to job losses, loss of a business and continual hospitalizations and nursing home stays over the past year. I made a second donation to their GoFundMe account and plan to donate on a regular basis. Additionally, I’m adding this family to my list of regular prayer intentions.
I took Nicholas out for breakfast at the Pancake House today following taking in the van for service. A dad with three small children came in and I watched him manage them so beautifully. I bought them breakfast, wrote him a quick note saying what a great job he was doing.
I took a fellow widow out to lunch near to the anniversary of her husband’s death
We pulled over to help a turtle cross the street without getting hit by a car.
And my 10 year old daughter has really befriended and helped a new kid in our neighborhood who has been bullied. She really took the initiative to make this young person feel safe and welcome and belonging.
Here’s my act of kindness: I bought 2 $20 gift certificates at the local, small town restaurant and the manager will keep them behind the counter to buy lunch or dinner the next time one of the local police officers or county Deputy come in to eat. Wrote the website on the certificate and it’s from “Remembering Thor.”
All my love,
Melissa
I bought 2 $20 gift certificates at the local, small town restaurant and the manager will keep them behind the counter to buy lunch or dinner the next time one of the local police officers or the County Deputy come in to eat. Wrote the website on the certificate and it’s from “Remembering Thor.”
I dropped off cookies to the local volunteer fire protection district for their monthly training night. These are unpaid rural first responder volunteers who stand ready to help their neighbors. Just like Thor.