More Hands More Hearts: Paying it Forward with JOHNSON’S

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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.

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