How to “Pay It Forward”? Let Us Count the Ways

By Kim Siebert MacPhail

The Bedford Rotary and Bedford Center for the Arts have embraced an idea called “Pay it Forward” and their members invite other organizations and individuals to join them in turning their visions into reality.

The background on “Pay it Forward”—a worldwide movement that encourages a culture of compassion and giving— shows that the concept traces its origins through time from multiple sources. The ancient Greek playwright Menander is cited as the earliest source; others are more recent, such as Benjamin Franklin, Ralph Waldo Emerson, the authors Robert Heinlein and Ray Bradbury, and—perhaps most familiarly—the author Catherine Ryan Hyde, whose novel of the same name was made famous by the 2000 film starring Helen Hunt and Kevin Spacey.

What the “Pay it Forward” movement generally aims to do is connect people to one another on a human level with acts of kindness that cause a ripple effect of good deeds. In other words, someone does something positive for one person who then does another good deed for a third person who then, in turn, does another good deed for someone else. The ripple moves ever onward and outward to a multiplying effect.

Bedford Rotary

How have the Bedford Rotary members embraced “Pay it Forward”? Their idea is nothing less than the eradication of world hunger. By adopting “Pay It Forward” and applying it to Rotary International goals such as ending hunger, the Bedford Rotary Club is taking their motto “Service above Self” seriously.

And, in hopes of inspiring other individuals and groups to participate, the Club is hosting a “Pay it Forward” drop-in day this Saturday, April 6, from 3-5 pm at the yellow Town Center building. During the drop-in hours, you can ask questions about the initiative, pick up a kit that will make participation easy, and have a slice of Flatbread pizza, donated in support of the program.

It is the main event, though—packaging 10,000 meals for school children in one of the 76 countries where the Rotary’s “Stop Hunger Now” campaign is taking place— that is the culmination of the initiative. That will take place on Thursday, April 25 from 6-8pm at the John Glenn Middle School.

To sign up for the April 25^th meal packaging event, come by the drop-in time this Saturday at the Town Center or visit the Rotary’s “Pay it Forward” website: https://www.bedfordmarotary.org/PayitForward.cfm

Bedford Center for the Arts

The Bedford Center for the Arts has also signed on to the “Pay it Forward” concept with an initiative of its own and is hosting a free sign-making workshop called “Signs of Appreciation” on Saturday, April 13.

In this version of “Pay it Forward”, BCA proposes a way to pay tribute to the quiet good works of those who make Bedford unique. A workshop to design and create a lawn-sized sign, acknowledging the contributions of an individual, group or organization with color, creativity and joy is planned for Saturday, April 13, from 1 to 3 pm at the BCA space in Old Town Hall on South Road.

Supplies to make the signs will be provided but sign-makers are encouraged to bring materials that will enhance the individuality of the creation, such as colorful duct tape, ribbon, paint, pompoms, lights, markers, corks, beads.

Reservations are encouraged for purposes of planning but are not completely necessary. To RSVP, contact Elizabeth Nemirovsky via email: [email protected]

Recap of important “Pay it Forward” dates:

Saturday April 6, 3-5 pm at the yellow Town Center building: Drop-in to learn about the Rotary’s End Hunger Now event and how you/ your organization can participate.

Saturday, April 13, 1-3 pm at the Bedford Center for the Arts space in Old Town Hall on South Road: Design and make a yard-sign style appreciation for someone who makes Bedford a special community.

Thursday, April 25, 6-8pm at the John Glenn Middle School: Be part of the movement to end hunger for 10,000 school children by participating in the Rotary’s meal packaging initiative.