Can You Make a Difference in the World?

WHAT IS "PAY IT FORWARD"?

"Pay It Forward" is a book written by Catherine Ryan Hyde, but it's also an idea. It's an action plan within a work of fiction. But does it have to be fiction? We're hoping not. In fact, since the book was released in January of 2000, a real-life social movement has emerged, not just in the U.S. but worldwide. What began as a work of fiction has already become much more.

To get you going, SnugZ will send you a Pay it Forward bracelet.
We invite you to comment on this exciting concept below.

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Reuben St. Clair, the teacher and protagonist in the book "Pay It Forward," starts a movement with this voluntary, extra-credit assignment: THINK OF AN IDEA FOR WORLD CHANGE, AND PUT IT INTO ACTION. Trevor, the 12-year-old hero of "Pay It Forward," thinks of quite an idea. He describes it to his mother and teacher this way: "You see, I do something real good for three people. And then when they ask how they can pay it back, I say they have to Pay It Forward. To three more people. Each. So nine people get helped. Then those people have to do twenty-seven." He turned on the calculator, punched in a few numbers. "Then it sort of spreads out, see. To eighty-one. Then two hundred forty-three. Then seven hundred twenty-nine. Then two thousand, one hundred eighty-seven. See how big it gets?"

A MESSAGE FROM CATHERINE RYAN HYDE,
AUTHOR OF PAY IT FORWARD:

The Pay It Forward Movement is the real-life reaction to the release of my novel in early 2000, followed by the creation of the Pay It Forward Foundation, followed by the Warner Brothers movie. I didn't write the novel expecting a social movement, but it's certainly been exciting to watch it grow.

The purpose of the Pay It Forward Movement website is to bring together, in one place, as many real stories as we can. This serves several purposes. It helps the cynics see that Pay It Forward really is working, not just around the United States but around the world. It brings much-deserved recognition to those doing the work, and puts the results of their efforts out in the open so others can be inspired. It's also a source of some good news for a change, a way to renew your faith in human nature.

Bear in mind that I only know the Pay It Forward stories that someone took the time to report. I'm guessing that's somewhere in the neighborhood of one in a hundred spontaneous acts of kindness. What you see on this site is barely the tip of an iceberg. Know someone who is Paying It Forward? Please e-mail us and let us know. We will get the news to as many people as we can.

Catherine Ryan Hyde
Please indicate whether we have your permission to post your story on this site, and whether you want your full name included.

Click here to see real life Pay it Forward stories!

Two of our industries forward-thinking suppliers Brandon Mackay and Charlie Johnson from SnugZ, saw the value of presenting the "PAY IT FORWARD" opportunity the custom imprinted products industry. FreePromoTips and several industry media outlets assisted in launching this program to the custom imprinted products industry.

HERE'S HOW IT WORKS:

You, your company, your community, your family & friends can make the world a better place with a simple "PAY IT FORWARD" bracelet. The bracelet on your wrist will be a good reminder to help someone out, make their day, put a smile on a strangers face. When you receive a "thank you" for whatever it is you have done, just remove the bracelet and ask that person to "PAY IT FORWARD". Encourage that person to wear the bracelet and do the same for someone else.

This simple little bracelet may not seem like a big deal but remember one thing, little + little over an extended amount of time isn't little. Help us make "PAY IT FORWARD" a world changing idea?lets get as many "PAY IT FORWARD" bracelets out into world as we can. Remember the impact the Lance Armstrong bracelet had! Want to help make your neighborhood, your community, your city and the people around you better? Give "PAY IT FORWARD" a chance and let's see how much of a difference we can make together!