Thank you to JOHNSON’S® Baby for sponsoring this post. All thoughts are my own.
I will never forget the day when I was sitting with my three boys in a restaurant last year and a stranger came up to me and gave me $10 towards our lunch. I was there by myself, doing my best to try and remind my kids of their manners. It has been a long day already, my patience was running a bit thin and I just didn’t feel like preparing lunch so we went out. He told me he thought I was doing a great job with my boys and wanted to treat us to some dessert. That I deserved it.
And then he walked away.
This man wasn’t someone I knew. He didn’t look like he had a lot of money. (In fact, I might have guessed the opposite.) He didn’t expect any thanks, he just left as I sat there a bit stunned. Something like this had never happened to me before and it made me feel good. That a stranger would access me as a mom in a positive light. That he would feel compelled to give me praise and offer me a little something out of his own pocket, just because.
I also love giving back to others because it feels good to put a smile on someone’s face. To make them feel appreciated, remembered and special. Whether it is a family member, a friend or someone I don’t even know, I enjoy doing it over and over again.
Pay it Forward
Did you know that today, April 30th is Pay it Forward day? Pay it Forward Day is all about giving to someone else and making positive difference, whether small acts of kindness or large gestures.
As a part of my involvement with the JOHNSON’S® Council, I was asked to pay it forward by surprising a new mom in my life or a mom in need with a gift, courtesy of the JOHNSON’S® ongoing More Hands, More Hearts charitable campaign.
I immediately though of my childhood friend Jenn who recently had a baby and was just making the transition of going back to work part time. Her mother is currently undergoing treatment for cancer and today had a benefit to help her raise funds for medical bills and unpaid sick leave. I thought it would be a great excuse to see her and make her day a bit brighter!
JOHNSON’S® mailed me a Care Kit for her baby as well as a $25 Spa Finder gift card to give her a little pampering. When they found out that Jenn’s mom was having a benefit, they graciously donated two extra Care Kits for her silent auction and raffle.
It was great to see Jenn again, even if only a few minutes in a store parking lot. We didn’t have a lot of time, but had a few minutes to reconnect. She really appreciated the basket and thoughtful gifts, including the extra for her mom’s benefit. I loved meeting her little guy, Jace for the first time. Paying it forward doesn’t have to be grand gestures. Just a little something can go a long way to making someone’s day.
Global Moms Relay
Now you can get involved and pay it forward with the Global Moms Relay! From May 1 to June 19, 2015 (just before Mother’s Day through just before Father’s Day), every few days a celebrity, community leader, or everyday mom and dad, will share a personal story about the kind of world they want for their family by 2030, and then “pass the baton” to the next contributor. You can find all their inspiring stories on www.GlobalMomsRelay.org Some of the celebrities include Jennifer Gardner, Rosie Pope, Amanda Peet, Ricky Martin and Patricia Arquette, just to name a few!
Every time you comment, like, or share a post from the Global Moms Relay with friends on your social networks, Johnson & Johnson will donate $1 per share, per social network, (up to $300,000) to one of four causes that help improve lives for moms and babies around the world: Girl Up, the Mobile Alliance for Maternal Action (MAMA), [email protected], and UNICEF. With the click of your mouse or snap of your smartphone you can help raise up to $300,000 to improve the health and well being of moms and children around the world. You share, Johnson & Johnson gives
Share or like the blog posts from the social sharing icons on the page – you can make a comment, send an email or post to Twitter, Facebook, Google+, or Pinterest.
Get involved in doing some good! Pay it Forward to someone special in your life or a complete stranger and be sure to check out the Global Mom Relay starting tomorrow to help Johnson & Johnson donate the full pledged amount of $300,000.
It is a great day to do some social good, don’t you think?
Cheryl says
I hope they reach their goal. This sounds like such a worthwhile program.
David Fultner says
This such a sweet idea. I am sure they will meet their goal.
Karen Glatt says
What a great cause to be involved with! I think it was so touching that this guy gave you $10 for dessert! I am going to look for ways to pay it forward, and I will have to go to Global Moms Relay and share.
David Fultner says
This such a worthwhile endeavor. I am sure they will meet their goal.
David Fultner says
This a great idea.
Janet W. says
This is such a great cause and a nice way to make someone else’s day!
Tish Wilson says
I loved seeing that a global company cared enough in addition to the one prize they provided you with, they they graciously donated two extra Care Kits for a silent auction and raffle to support someone battling cancer.
David Fultner says
I am glad to see things like this.
Megan Scharlau says
That is such a sweet story!
Something similar happened to my family and I’ll never forget the kindness of strangers <3
Jerry Marquardt says
I wish I would have known, it’s too late this year, but I marked it down for next year.
James Robert says
Really like this and the story of paying it forward. What a great thing for that man to do for you and then you turned around and did for your friend as well. I ran into a lady in the store who was telling me they didn’t have a lot of money but had several kids and last year, as she did her weekly grocery shopping which cost about $300, a man behind her wouldn’t let her pay for it. He did what this many did for you and she was shocked and had no idea who he was.