Pay it Forward with FREE Smile Cards…
UPDATE: It seems that the daily limit of SmileCards has been reached for today; however, you can check back tomorrow to submit a request or you can download the cards.
If you have been a Hip2Save reader for any extended period of time, you probably know that I am a big fan of paying it forward and also love to highlight others who pay it forward (check out these posts here, here, here, here and here for some examples). With that being said, I was really excited to learn about HelpOthers.org, the creators of the SmileCard project.
Starting in September of 2003, smile cards began appearing all around the world. SmileCards are markers of a newfangled game of tag, where “you’re it” because someone has done something nice for you. Then it’s your turn to do something nice for someone else and, in the process, pass the card along. This is a game of pay-it-forward: anonymously make someone smile, leave behind a card asking them to keep the ripple going. It’s easy, free, fun, and makes you feel oh so good!
Do you want to snag some SmileCards so you can participate in this game of pay-it-forward? If so, head over here to download your very own SmileCards. If you prefer, you can request pre-printed SmileCards that will be sent to your home for FREE! Just head over here to complete the request form and you will receive 10 cards in the mail within 2-4 weeks. Hip2Save reader, Fran, recently requested the cards and shares a picture of the back of the card below (the image on the front of the card is pictured above at the top of this post).
If you are inspired by the mission of HelpOthers.org, consider paying it forward by donating here to sponsor the SmileCards. For every $1 donated, 20 more SmileCards are able to be shipped and printed (you can even donate stamps!) 😀
Need some kindness ideas?! Head over here for lots of great ways to give back and pay it forward.
Have you ever received or handed out a SmileCard (or something similar)?! Do you have some of your own kindness ideas? Let us know in the comments below!
(Thanks, Fran!)
It said check back tomarrow, they exceeded the limit.
I requested these before and never received them, I will try again.
I love this idea Colin! Thank-you so much! I think this is so great! People really feel special when they get a personal card in the mail. They said they are all gone for today but I’ll definitely be back tomorrow. I love this website and I love this idea! THANKS! 🙂
Very cute idea, I’ve never heard of it before…you definitely are known to pay it forward.
Love this! I’m definitely going to start this at work…what a great way to cheer people up 🙂
A quick story – I’m a single mom of two. A couple of years ago, I was working two jobs and in my last semester of college so money was VERY tight… but I had promised my kids a bucket of chicken from KFC for good grades. Sitting in the drive-thru that night, I was thinking about how I only had about $50 to last until payday the following week! A stranger in front of me in the drive thru paid for my entire order and left a little card similar to the ones here, asking me to pay it forward. Even now when I think of that night, my eyes well up with tears! Since then, I have finished college and now have a much better job and I take every opportunity I can to pay it forward – whether it’s paying for a meal for a stranger or helping someone in need load their groceries into their car or (my favorite) giving back anonymously to someone I know is having a hard time. One of my favorite things to do is to buy gift cards from Kroger or the Dollar Store or Walmart and send them in the mail (anonymously, of course) along with a little note saying, “I hope this helps.” or something like that. I can’t express what a blessing it is to my soul to be a blessing to somebody else!
A friend posted this on her wall via the Paulos Group, I LOVE it!!
“Ancient Hebrew wisdom describes four levels of charity. The highest level is to provide a job for one in need without his knowledge that you provided it. The next, lower level is to provide work that the needy one knows you provided. The third level is to give an anonymous gift to meet an immediate need. The lowest is to give a poor person a gift with his full knowledge that you are the donor.”
Pay It Forward is one of my favorite all time movies!
These past couple weeks on the east coast have been cold and dreary. Every day on my way to work I pass these construction workers doing road work and I’ve waved to one guy a couple times b/c he’s in charge of directing traffic. I was treating myself to Starbucks one morning and thought, I’ll bring the guy some coffee – it was soooo cold. I stopped and asked him if he would like some coffee. He said sure and we started talking. His wife lost her job a couple months ago and his daughter was really sick today and all he wanted to do was just stay home with his family. But he couldn’t – money is just too tight and he couldn’t afford to get fired. I’d like to think the coffee helped a bit. It certainly made my day. I think about him – he was just the nicest guy!