Jas Cruzada
While the American movie “Pay It Forward” in 2000 was about a boy who started a good-will movement, a couple named Richard and Samantha Specht from Long Island launched a foundation they also called “Pay It Forward” with a mission to ‘spread kindness’.
In 2012, Richard and Samantha lost their child when their 22-month old son Richie “Rees” drowned in their backyard pond while preparing for Hurricane Sandy. The tragedy caused too much devastation to the couple that their community decided to do something to help alleviate their grief. A local nursery turned the pond into a garden, free of charge. And that was when the couple decided to create Pay It Forward, to show kindness to anyone who needs it most.
Photo Credit: dailymail.co.uk
The mechanics is simple: You will do a kind deed to a person, and with every act of kindness comes a card and a promise to pay it forward – and people are asked to share their story of how they received the card . (The cards are available at the ReesSpechtLife website.)
In one email that Richard read, he was astounded by the story of a waitress who received a $3,000 tip from an anonymous diner who was inspired by their campaign. And what touched him the most was when he realized that it was from a middle school student he used to teach (Richard is a science teacher at Great Hollow Middle School). The note said:
Photo Credit: worldnow.com
“Thank you for your kindness and humility. My teacher in middle school had such a difficult experience a few years ago which has sparked me to do this. My only requirements are:
1) Go to ReesSpechtLife.com and learn!
2) Don’t let ‘Pay it forward’ end with you.
3) Since it’s about the idea and not about you, or me, if you decide to share this, don’t use either of our names!
Thank you for being around for all of my shows on and off Broadway. I hope that someday someone gives as much love and happiness into the world as you do.
Much love”
To date, the cards have reached 100,000 in circulation – around the globe. And let us hope that through it going viral, we may spread the importance of Community, Compassion, and Respect.
‘I am happy knowing my little boy and I made a difference in the lives of those who we have touched.’
-Richard Specht
