We've all heard about initiatives to 'Pass It Forward.' I know I've participated on my own, randomly here and there, and I've had it done to me as well (someone paid for my coffee at a drive-through one time, I thought it was cool). Sometimes it really is the little things that can make a positive difference.
Bob Hoffman, the founder of ePIFanyNow knows the value of kindness, and evidently he's not the only one. This initiative that started out small is getting bigger and bigger, and now there is a Y-PIF Award to discuss too. Designed to honor kids in grades 5-8 and 9-12 who are passing it forward and making a positive contribution to their communities, this award is orchestrated to help their initial reach go even further.
Outstanding charitable youth may get more details about the award and register online at www.epifanynow.org. Applications are due by April 10, 2015. They will be reviewed by members of the ePIFanyNow™ Board and selection committee and narrowed down to three finalists in each category. Though founded in East Lansing, any student in the state of Michigan is eligible to participate.
The top three chosen submissions from each age category will be highlighted on the ePIFanyNow.org website, where the public can 'vote' for their favorite. Each vote will cost $1 and will be collected via PayPal. All money collected will be donated as the prize, to the winner's favorite charity.
Online voting will open Monday, April 20th and will close at 3pm at the next ePIFanyNow™ annual party on Sunday, May 3. The event will run from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the MUS Federal Credit Union main headquarters (3777 West Road in East Lansing).
The two final Y-PIF Award recipients - one from each category - will be announced at the end of the party. Winners will be determined by points given by the selection committee during the initial review process. Those will be worth 60% of the score. The final 40% of the score will be based on the amount of money each finalist raises before and during the event.
The winner in each category will receive $500 from ePIFanyNow™, which will either go to a pre-approved charity of the winner's choice or the winner's in-kind project for further development. All charities and projects will be vetted by members of the ePIFanyNow™ Board and selection committee during the review process. For finalists who are not selected as one of the Y-PIF Award winners, all monies raised through the online voting process will still be awarded to the charities noted in those participants' applications.
I love the idea of helping make the world a better place. When one person steps up and does something kind, it's nice. When a lot of people do, it's amazing! If you live in Michigan, tell your principal...youth leaders, etc. about this award. This is a great way to get our youth involved in passing it forward...and passing it forward is always (and thankfully) very contagious.
If you want to know more, please click over to check it out. Also be sure to share the word...the more entrants the better (for everyone!). Teaching our children to pass it forward now, can only lead to good things.
I love this so much. I think by doing one kind thing at a time, we can make this world a much better place.
ReplyDeleteThat is a great way to show kids how to pass it forward. Will be sharing this.
ReplyDeleteMichelle F.
I do this all the time. I've paid for people meals that were behind me. I've done a lot of pay it forward. It's a wonderful thing indeed.
ReplyDeleteHave a terrific day. ☺
It's the little kind things that add up to make everyone happier in general.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful opportunity and way to teach our children and ourselves. I am glad this is out there.
ReplyDeleteThere are kids doing some really fabulous things out there. This is such an excellent way to reward and encourage their endeavors.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great program. I hope a very deserving person gets this. I think it's great to pay it forward all the time though.
ReplyDeleteYes! This is wonderful. So many wonderful kids doing such wobderful things now! Such a great opportunity!
ReplyDeleteI love this idea! What a great way to encourage kids to think of others and look for ways to pay it forward!
ReplyDeleteThis is such a great thing. I know friends in Michigan so I will be passing it along in case they know someone who should enter.
ReplyDeleteWhat a brilliant initiative. And I love that the prizes continue to pay it forward.
ReplyDeleteI will check this out further. I have kids of my own. Sounds interesting.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a great initiative...I had no idea about this and I live right around the corner from Michigan!
ReplyDeleteI think this is a great concept. If people would pay if forward even once a month, it would be a better world.
ReplyDeleteWe need this now more than ever. With all the bullying and nastiness out there, it's nice to see kids doing something great.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree with you. Kids need to learn positive things like this rather than focusing mainly on how to deal with bullying and stuff.
DeleteWhat an awesome idea. If everyone paid it forward, the world be a much better place.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful idea--too bad this isn't in all the states. It is never too young to learn to pay it forward--even if it is a smile!
ReplyDeleteAmazing idea, thank you for this post.
ReplyDeleteWe have a Pay-It-Forward group at our church and they are always promoting ways we can pay it forward. It's so important to teach this to children.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a great idea. Kids need to know that paying it forward is cool! Amber N
ReplyDeleteThis is a great way to share your blessings. Also a great avenue to teach you mind to share or pass whatever good they have to others.
ReplyDeletedefinitely sharing this! What an awesome video!
ReplyDeletePaying it forward is what's all about. Nice post.
ReplyDeleteThis is great! What a great way to teach kids the I portance of passing it forward and learning about different charities and how they can help their communities. Love this idea!
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome. Love seeing kids rewarded for good acts.
ReplyDeleteA great way to pay it forward and help a lot. Good tool to teach kids too.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great way to teach kids!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a wonderful project! Now, we just need to get this project nation--wide! :)
ReplyDeleteIt really does start to add up when everyone does one little thing to make a difference. Would love to see something like this all across the United States.
ReplyDeleteThis sends a great message to kids about the importance of paying it forward. Wonderful idea.
ReplyDeleteRosey - this is so beautiful - giving of ourselves and bringing smiles - what a great movement and so inspiring
ReplyDeleteI am not in michigan, but I enjoyed reading this post! There is still good in the world!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a fantastic program!!! I love seeing kiddos give back and do positive things!
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome program!! so important to teach children and teens to pass it forward --well done!!!
ReplyDeleteAs a teacher, I LOVE this!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great program. I love things like this!
ReplyDeleteThis is a fabulous project and a great way to get the kids involved.
ReplyDeleteWow, what a wonderful way to encourage young people to make a difference. A lifetime of giving should be started young.
ReplyDeleteI love this so much! I think passing it forward to help others in a more attainable way is perfect!
ReplyDeletePaying it forward is the greatest thing we can do for others. I love this idea.
ReplyDeleteI love paying-it-forward! I think it's great to teach young kids to at an early age!!
ReplyDeleteThis is such an awesome idea! Kudos to all the kids that are even being considered.
ReplyDeleteHow amazing! Yes, kids need to learn young and I love to pay it forward :)
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like an awesome project! Great way to teach kids :)
ReplyDeletekudos to Bob Hoffman for starting the ePIFanyNow program for youths. This sounds amazing and I will have to share this with my son who is a senior this year. It is truly awesome when people pay it forward. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThis is a wonderful thing that should be encouraged! Good luck to those kids who enter.
ReplyDeleteI love the whole pass it forward philosophy and I am glad there is a good role model out there for kids. Hopefully this will make an impact in their life and they will be able to grow from it.
ReplyDeleteI love the paying it forward movement! What a great program for kids!
ReplyDeleteI am part of a similar program. I believe in the idea of paying forward…
ReplyDeleteGreat initiative! What a great way to inspire and motivate kids to do good and pay it forward.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great thing to teach/show kids! This is a life lesson all kids should learn at an early age.
ReplyDeleteI agree. I love things that show our kids lessons like this.
DeleteWe really need this kind of program here in the UK. The children need to learn more kindness and paying it forward.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great program! If everyone paid it forward, the world would indeed be a much better place.
ReplyDeletePaying it forward is so important! I love this whole philosophy!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic program! I love that it's targeted to kids. I'll have to share with friends that live there!
ReplyDeleteYay, I love that concept too!!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great program to get kids involved!
ReplyDeleteWe must acknowledge good and make the news and deeds of it more prevalent!
ReplyDeleteThis is a very good program!
That is great! I always admire people who do great things to make the world a better place. Kudos to them!
ReplyDeleteWOW! What a great program! Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great program. Love things like this. Thanks for sharing the info!
ReplyDeleteThis is such a great problem. As a teacher, I know how hard it can be to motivate students, but this would fit the bill. Thanks so much for sharing.
ReplyDeleteAmanda
www.queenofthelandoftwigsnberries.com
Thanks for sharing this, I didn't know about this. I will be sharing it for sure with my friends who live in Michigan!
ReplyDeleteThis ought to be a good one - totally wonderful program it is.
ReplyDeleteWhat an excellent program! I wonder if nation-wide, this idea has been passed.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful idea
ReplyDeleteI didnt know about this but it sounds like an awesome program! Definitely sharing with friends.
ReplyDeleteTeaching kids about paying forward is a wonderful thing. What a wonderful program. Thanks for taking the time to share this info!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great sounding programme - its great how much is being done it help and uplift the youth of today.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE hearing about ways people are paying it forward! I will have to look more into this!
ReplyDeleteI wish there were more programs or award systems that taught kids to pay it forward. It's a value that not a lot of todays youths understand or care about learning.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great opportunity to teach our children. I love programs like these
ReplyDeleteAwesome! Sometimes kids need incentive to learn to do the right thing. I feel like it's great to rewards kids who see the bigger picture!
ReplyDeletethats so great! one thing at a time and we could all make this world a much better place for our kids in the future!
ReplyDeleteI like when kids can learn about the positive. I feel that society had become so negative.
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome! I love to reward people who are doing things right.
ReplyDeleteI love that you are passing this info along. I really feel better when I know I'm helping make the world a better place and I love that you do as well.
ReplyDeleteI used to live in Michigan, and what a great opportunity for those who reside in the state. I love hearing stories and initiatives like this.
ReplyDeleteThis is so awesome! I don't know anyone in Michigan but this is great. Small acts of kindness certainly can go a long way.
ReplyDeleteKuddos to you for passing on such a wonderful concept! Any act of kindness is a big act!
ReplyDeleteSuch an inspiring amazing message and opportunity. Well done.
ReplyDeleteI love the concept behind this initiative. It's a great way to teach young people those important lessons that they need to have as adults.
ReplyDeleteI love this concept too. I think its so important to start early teaching our kids the value to give back. This is awesome!
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome program! I think this needs to be everywhere!
ReplyDeleteOne kind action or word can mean a lot to one person. This should be world wide.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great way to encourage kids to spread kindness. I am really loving this program!
ReplyDeleteWhat a way to change the world. Kids are the future
ReplyDeleteTeaching kids young to be kind will go a long way. This is a great way to do that.
ReplyDeleteAny program that relies on random acts of kindness helps to make the world just a little better. Great ideas.
ReplyDeleteWe just moved from Michigan but I'll let family and friends who are still there know!
ReplyDeleteI love to see others encouraged in their dreams. This is really fabulous!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a great program!! I love to see programs that encourages people to follow their dreams.
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome. I love to PIF and I try to whenever it is possible. It just feels good to share the blessings.
ReplyDeleteI love initiatives that help pay it forward. They can be such an inspiration for others.
ReplyDeleteSound like an wonderful idea! These days kids are doing such great things and this program would definitely encourage them and reward them as well. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of paying it forward. It feels nice when someone does something nice but it also feels good to give too.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a great initiative!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great thing happening here in Michigan! I know quite a few people who are social workers, pastors, youth leaders and school personnel. I'll pass this along.
ReplyDeleteThis such a great initiative in Michigan. I hope that many states will join this movement
ReplyDeleteThis is terrific! It is great to see that future leaders are being applauded for making great choices, and impacting their community.
ReplyDeleteGreat way to pay it forward! Thank you for sharing. I don't watch a lot of news these days so it's nice to see positive things going on in other states!
ReplyDeleteHonoring kindness is such a great thing to do! Thanks for sharing info about this unique award.
ReplyDeleteGreat article! thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteThis is such an outstanding program. I pray that it gets the momentum that it deserves.
ReplyDeleteEvery $1 donated for the votes will mean a lot. I also love the idea of paying it forward so the less fortunate and people who are in dire need of a lifeline can be saved somehow.
ReplyDeleteI really like this post I am all for paying it forward this would be great if a lot more people did it as well.
ReplyDeleteThis is a wonderful way to teach children and teenagers how to pass it forward. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteWe're just a state away but I've never heard of it. Good concept.
ReplyDeleteI lived in Michigan for 12 years and still have a lot of friends there with kids and grandkids. I'll pass this along!
ReplyDeleteAwesome! Paying it forward is always great!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful initiative ePIFanyNow is doing! I have some family and friends in Michigan. I will past this information along. :)
ReplyDeleteThat is a great movement to support. Wish it was in more places!
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome. Really a fantastic program.
ReplyDeletesuch a great program...thanks for spreading!
ReplyDeleteThis is very inspiring. I know a friend who loves this. What an amazing campaign
ReplyDeleteIt's true that little things can make big difference most especially in the society we live in today.
ReplyDelete