Something4Nothing

First, I wanted to write and thank you for writing such a wonderful book, and allowing it to be made into a wonderful movie. Your writing has influenced and enriched the lives of many, many people, and will continue to do so for a very long time.

In particular, you have influenced a group of about 1000 people that I am proud to be a part of. Most of us have never met each other in person, yet they are as much a family as you will find anywhere. The "family" I am speaking of is an email list group, through YahooGroups, called Something4Nothing. The list was originally created to help find freebies and deals and has evolved into so much more. (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Something4Nothing/)

Pay It Forward has been discussed many times on our list -- whenever anyone asks advice on a video to rent, PIF is always the main one recommended. It is a beautiful, heart-wrenching movie...but it isn't the movie that draws us to it -- it is the entire concept of paying it forward, and that is our list motto and we take it VERY seriously.

I've been a member of the list for several years now, and from the first we've always practiced small Random Acts of Kindness with each other -- everything from sending someone an envelope of coupons to an electronic greeting card shower for someone who is feeling blue. We had one member (Patrick, one of our rare male members...who unfortunately died this last year) who would pick up McDonald's Happy Meal toys all the time and offer them free to the children of list members. Lots of little kindnesses that cost the giver little, yet gave so much.

Our first big project happened a year ago last November (on my birthday actually), when one of our "family" lost her teenaged daughter in a horrific automobile accident. Cee had no life insurance or burial insurance for her daughter Cassy, and no money to spare. She does in-home day care to support herself, and is raising her grandson from another daughter. Within hours, the list sprang to action with every type of fund raising effort you can imagine (anything from clicking on a link to earn a penny toward the fund to Ebay Angel auctions to just flat out donating cash through Paypal). We were able to raise enough to pay for the burial and for Cee to take a little time off to grieve.

Since then, we have kept it going...lots of small RAOKs throughout the year. As the anniversary of Cassy's "heaven date" neared, we rallied again, and sent Cee hundreds of angels, in every shape and form.

Then the Angel Project was born. We began learning, secretly and quietly, that several of our list members were going through very difficult times. Now, there probably isn't one of us on the list who *isn't* going through a rough time now, like everyone...but these families were in very dire straits. None of them asked for help, none of them asked for ANYTHING. So, we began plotting and planning (in secret -- none of the families knew they were one of the "Angel Families" and in fact, many of them contributed what they could to the project themselves!). The Angel Project was headed by Cee (paying it forward) and another moderator of the list, Melissa. We had raffles, more Ebay Angel auctions, again every type of fundraising activity took place...as well as sending cards and packages and gift certificates and anything else we could think of to the six families involved.

Cee has written about her part in this (and also has written some incredible articles about Cassy): http://www.writtenbyme.com/content/72703

Yesterday, the money raised was distributed among the six, and the gifts and cards had started arriving. We all shared their tears and amazement and joy...I think I went through half a box of kleenex just by myself yesterday!

Here's an excerpt from an email sent by the sister of one of our Angel Families: "Well I just recieved a phone call from my sister...., She is in tears as i am typing this so i felt that maybe i could express what she is feeling right now. She called to let me know what Cee and Melissa had told her.... And she wanted to know if i had anything to do with it. Of course i am still trying to play dumb with it but it was not flying with her. She is just sooooo over whelmed at the moment.... She is afraid that if she sends another thank you it will not come close to how she feels. She kept asking how was she going to be able to repay this and i just told her to "pay it forward" So from the bottom of both of our hearts. Thank you every single one of you. God has shined down on everyone of you. Thank you S4N there is a Santa Claus... Love you all so much and please i am not sure i can cry anymore.... but i know i will Julie V. "

and from another: "Just reading that again my hands are shaking and Im drowning the keyboard....THANK YOU EVERYONE for making Jeffrey and me such a happy holiday...I can't even put into words the joy in my heart...knowing that I can get that one present that Jeffrey really wants Santa to bring....I do believe in Santa...and I do believe in angels...and this list has made my whole Christmas!!! I feel such joy in my heart...and I hope my joy can spread out to each and everyone of you! You've all touched mine!! I have a Christmas card from Connie that came in the mail....inside it was a Cassy Angel card...and when I received that I told Connie that I would *Pay It Forward* one day...and when I did...I would include that card that was filled with love from her and Cassy. Sorry this is so long...I could keep on rambling....I want to hug each and every one of you!!"

Off the list, it has influenced us as well. I know it has influenced me, and my daughter Madison (11 years old) is strongly following in my footsteps. We've adopted five soldiers/sailors who are in the War Effort and send them cards and care packages. We have taken big baskets of treats and cakes to our local firestations "just because". And we practice RAOKs whenever we can...tiny things like telling a harried store clerk they are doing a great job, to buying a dessert for the person behind us in the drivethrough window at a fast food restaurant, to letting someone in front of us in a long line. I am giving copies of your book to family members for Christmas this year in hopes it will touch them in that special way.

Thank you for listening. Merry Christmas to you and yours.

Sincerely, Tammy Adin