Community Corner

SPEAK OUT: Will You 'Pay It Forward' on Thursday?

it's National Pay It Forward Day. How will you contribute?

You've heard the term "pay it forward," which emphasizes the power of giving. Well, Thursday is your big chance -- It's National Pay It Forward Day.

According to the website of the Pay It Forward Foundation, it "embodies the power of giving ... It is amazing the difference a simple idea can have in changing the world – one good deed at a time," according to Catherine Ryan Hyde, author of the book "Pay It Forward." This book was adapted into the 2000 movie of the same name, starring Kevin Spacey, Haley Joel Osment and Helen Hunt.

-- How will you "pay it forward" in Suwanee? Tell us in the comments below.

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In 2011, participants paid it forward in 35 countries with seven state and 15 city proclamations, according to another website.

How does it work? According to the website, do between one and three good deeds for others without asking for anything in return. Instead the recipient should be instructed to "pay it forward" to someone else in need. Pay it Forward Cards (downloadable on the website) can be handed to each recipient explaining what Pay it Forward is all about. There are 24 boxes on the back of the card that are ticked off as the card travels around – each box containing the potential for future good deeds as others Pay it Forward to others in need. The Pay it Forward part can be completed at each person’s discretion.

Find out what's happening in Suwaneewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Examples: At a drive-thru, pay for the car behind’s meal and give the cashier a Pay it Forward card to pass on … Drive an older person in the neighborhood to the grocery store, or if they aren’t able to go themselves, take their list and go to the store for them.

Suwanee and the Gwinnett area have well known volunteer initiatives, but there also are likely some advocates who will "pay it forward" Thursday. So we want to know who you are, and how you will do that Thursday.

Compiled by Steve Burns.

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