The cafeteria staff got TGR to

E, 34, Hialeah, FL, US

I have been buying coffee, toast, and other items since the revolution started at the office cafeteria. 3, 4, or 10 items each day since the revolution started. The 2 cashiers have been my accomplices and they have been having fun passing the cards with the prepaid items. I envy them bc they get to see the reaction of the people. I tend to be shy so I usually find a time when no one is around to pay for the items and then take off in a hurry. Today me and my other 3 other colleagues gave all the cafeteria staff a $10 gift card. They were very happy! keep it going!

2008-12-16 13:11:32

Personal Training for 2 for fr

Clem Elder, 41, Miramar, US

i'm a personal trainer in south florida. i own my my own personal training business and my TGR gift to 2 people i met recently was the gift of health. Let's be healthy in 2009!

2008-12-16 12:42:51

Lunch Time

Jesse A., 25, Hialeah, US

The day started off like any other day at work very busy and barely time to get a good lunch. So quickly Drove to McDonalds and ordered my lunch after I paid for my lunch I gave the cashier an extra $20.00 bill and a gift revolution card and told her to use it for the person behind me. It was so cool to see how confused the person behind me was when they got to the window and realized that their lunch was paid for. I also wrote on the card John 3:16 and God bless, hope they looked it up because John 3:16 is a big revolution in its self.

2008-12-16 12:19:22

Pro Bono

Mark Justin Josephs, 36, North Myrtle Beach, US

A young lady I have been helping with some legal matters over the past 21 months received a huge gift from me last week. She owed a ton on legal fees, of which she had no way of paying without dipping into her food money. So, we not only won her case, and resolved the situation, but we were able show God's love through this gift. Peace be with you all...

2008-12-16 11:00:36

Kindergarten Gift Revolution

Jessica L, 26, Miami, US

This morning when I walked into my son's classroom I could not help but overhear his teacher talking to another mom about today being the deadline for turning in the money for a field trip the class has. The mom told the teacher she did not have the money and I felt a nudge in my heart to offer to pay but I kept SILENT!!! As I was leaving, I was sad about not having taking advantage of that opportunity to bless someone :( BUT!!!!!! I saw the mom as I was walking out so I approached her and told her I wanted to pay for her son's field trip as a Christmas Gift. She was suprised and very grateful!!!I gave her a card and walked back to the class to pay, the teacher was very touched as well and my 5 year old son was beaming and proud to be a part of this as well!! If the mom reads this I just want to say Merry Christmas and I know your son will have a great time at the field trip!

2008-12-16 10:33:09

Dairy Queen on Fort Myers Beac

Kim Culver, 41, Fort Myers Beach, US

What a wonderful suprise when 5 teenagers showed up at our store from the other side of the state and explained to me what they were doing... We were busy and one of the kids asked to talk to the manager...As I stepped over, expecting to be asked if he could have an application, or maybe hear about a problem the young man had..I was pleasantly suprised to hear him tell me that they would like to do something nice for us. He explained the gift revolution and asked if he could bring in some friends and help us wash tables, or sweep or anything. I absolutely agreed and handed out buckets of sanitized water, towels and brooms to these 5 teenagers. (Now mind you, I have teenagers of my own and am still a bit shocked by their willingness to actually volunteer to work!!) They scrubbed, washed, swept and then came back to ask for cleaning supplies for the bathrooms!! What a wonderful and welcome suprise! After our dining room was sparkling clean they asked to take a picture with all of us and we sent them off with free ice cream cones (with sprinkles of course!) Dairy Queen thanks you!!

2008-12-16 09:42:23

Lunch time

Perkins Hadley, 46, Orlando, US

My story is nothing big, but it was a big suprise to my co-worker who I never bought her lunch before. She don't cook so lunches are usely unhealthy. So I told her out of the blue that she can have my lunch.

2008-12-16 09:17:29

I was startled at Steak n Shak

Bryan P, 19, Davie, US

My friend and I were sitting by the window, just talking and the rest. A guy and a girl walked up to our table, the girl smiling. I was wondering what these two people wanted from me? I was completely caught off guard when they said they wanted to give us this gift. They put down the Gift Revolution card and a handful of money. I honestly thought it was a hoax and didn't know what to say. My jaw must've dropped, we thanked them (I hope, I was so confused I may have been speechless) I waved to them as they walked on and the kindness had finally reached my brain and heart. These little moments of kindness let me know there is still good in this world. So thanks again, Anonymous Guy and Girl, you made my night and give me hope for humanity. I can't wait to pay it forward and give my gift.

2008-12-16 02:04:30

A home for the Holidays

Nancy Ezell, 37, Hialeah, US

Hello, My name is Nancy Ezell. I attend the Cooper City Flamingo Road Church every Sunday. The last year has been very hard on me and my children, My husband has fought an increadible battle with drug addiction and for the last few years he has been in and out of our lives ( i have 4 children---Danny 14, Monique 9, Isaiah 2, and Jasmin 1). This past May my husband left again, driven by the demons that drug addiction have, and we have been struggling tremendously worse than ever. Physically and emotionally it has been a big drain on me to find myself alone with 4 children who depend on me and only me. The babies are the hardest because i work 6 days a week to try to make enough(it never is)and when i come home i do not have the energy it takes to deal with all that is required of me. My older children bear the burden of assisting me at times by helping me with the little ones and bless their hearts they help as much as any kids can. Well to make a long story short, i presently found myself financially defeated my car is approximately 6 months behind (mosy my money goes to baby sitting)and the landlord where i live asked me to move because she is in need of moving back into that home. When i advised my sister about what my cituation was my brother in-law called me and said not to worry that we would always have a home with them. They only have one extra room but he said we would do whatever it takes and that my older son could share a room with theirs. I am truly greatful to God for my brother in-law because although we are not his responsiblity he gave us the best gift ever "A home for the Holidays" and as long as we need until our circumstances get better. We all attend FRC in Cooper City and know that although we might not be able to shower the kids with material gifts, the gift of love and family unity is the greatest gift God has given us.

2008-12-16 01:32:56

Unexpected but needed gift

Child of God, 27, , US

A friend at work was getting laid off the following week and was understandably hurt and worried. She is a single mom with a little girl and bills and mortgage to pay although her faith was strong that God will provide. Though her stress still showed an dher concern grew as her last day approached. She is not 'just' my co-worker, she is my friend, a sister in Christ. Well, I knew I wanted to somehow, someway be a blessing to her. God laid it upon my heart to give her a check for $200. When she went to the restroom, I left it on her desk with a note reminding her that God will never leave her nor forsake her. She cried and thanked me. And then I thanked God for giving me this opportunity to show her love. It is SO much better to give than to receive!

2008-12-15 23:19:37

Chritsmas for College Freshman

Tony Kluz, 51, Tampa, US

After my favorite Pizza at my favorite Pizza Place (NYPD Pizza) in Channelside, Port Authority, Tampa... I was talking to a new waitress there who is a college Freshman at USF. I have an 18 year "Freshman in College" myself in New Hampshire and remember what it was like as a student scraping by for gas money, etc. Two of my step son's (Annette's boys)have "Bright scholar" scholarships and don't need the money as badly... so when I got my change back, I told the waitress "Merry Christmas" and gave her a crisp $100 dollar bill as my tip! She was so humbled and appreciative, she thanked me several times... I Spoke to her about The Gift Revolution and asked her to give 10% to her church and walked away... she followed me out and said she was going to give 1/2 to her church and that felt so kewl! God Bless My family... God bless everyone... and God especially Bless College Freshman! :) Besos muchos Annette!

2008-12-15 23:12:25

BJ'S

Child of God, 27, , US

As I was walking into BJ'S the other day, there was a woman standing outside from the Salvation Army with her Santa hat and her bell anbd collection bucket. What caught my attention was that she was so joyful. She was waving that bell aroung and shouting "Merry Chriatmas!" to everyone who passed by. And she had thsi smile on her face that kind of makes you smile back at her...keep in mind, it was only 8:00AM!! Anyhow, I went in and did my shopping (for work stuff.) And as I walked around the store, I thought it would be nice if I bought something for that woman outside. Imagine how many people walk by her all day and maybe throw spare change or a cuple bucks in her bucket and go on about their day? What about doing something MORE, not only for the Salvation Army, but for HER?? So I purchased a $10 Christmas arrangement basket filled with cookies, candy, hot cocoa, the works...and as I was walking out, she was still there, still saying Merry Christmas to everyone, but she lost that energy I had seen 45 min. ago when I waled in. I did put a couple bucks in her bucket, but I also gave her the basket. I simply told her she seemed so joyful and that I hope this will make her day a bit nicer. She was so happy and surprised of course! I walked to my car and her joyfull expression was back and that bell was waving around again..."Merry Christmas!"

2008-12-15 23:10:17

Grocerie Store Cashier

Sydney, 16, Shallotte, US

I work at a grocerie store and as we all know that can be really stressful especially around the holidays. Well it was approximately five minutes until i got to go on my break when i had to ring up this lady and her son. I wasnt really in a good mood but i put on my happy face and asked all the questions i am required to ask. Well after i was finished and said "have a nice day," her son reached over the counter with a little box of chocolate and a couple of dollars and told me "this is for all the hard work you do." I was overjoyed, and actually thought he was joking. But his mother told me he was serious and all about this Gift Revolution, and how only a day earlier she was affected by it. Needless to say i had a very good break and was in a great mood the rest of my shift. Ha, i seriously almost cried. It was very moving to know that people are out there being selfless during the Holiday season. Normally people are so worried about the "give me give me, and the i want this" that we truly forget the meaning of the holiday. So thank you so much to that mom and boy you really made my night. And i finally feel like its Christmas.

2008-12-15 22:24:07

Tall Half Caff/TGIF OPRY MILLS

dina, 30, gallatin, US

My coffe was purchased for me by an anonymous stranger and it took my by total surprise. THANK YOU LADY IN RED PICK UP IN FRONT OF ME AND BOUGHT MY STARBUCKS TREAT!! Over the weekend I did the same at TGIF , bought drinks for a random couple anonymously and told our server to give them the card and tell them their drinks have been paid afer we left. It felt so good to do something nice for a stranger. I plan to continue this trend.

2008-12-15 21:20:36

Having a Blast

Kevin Murray, 41, Piggott, AR, US

My son was recently in a local restaurant in our little town of Piggott, AR and when he and his buddy went to pay for the meal someone had payed for it. He couldn't wait to tell me because he had heard me talking about the gift revolution for the past couple of weeks, so he is taking the money I gave him to eat on and passing it on. Thanks Flamingo for starting a Revolution.

2008-12-15 20:04:47

Gift Revolutioning.

Phillip, 42, Jonesboro, AR, US

Today I was in Wal-mart and decided to give a gift to someone behind me in line. I purchased a $25 gift card and told the cashier to give it to the next person in line along with a Gift Revolution card. I asked the cashier to tell the person that it was a gift from a friend, to have a Merry Christmas, and to visit the Gift Revolution website. As I left the line, I noticed a lady that had gotten in line to check out. It appeared that she was Christmas Shopping and as I walked out the door I noticed that the cashier was giving her the card and explaining to her why. I didn't stick around to watch her reaction but the feeling that I got after giving to a perfect stranger made me think about the greatest gift of all. Jesus gave us the gift of Life and for the most part we live our lives without acknowledging or even excepting that gift. I am excited that I have the opportunity to not only acknowledge but to fully accept HIS gift. So if you are reading this and have given or recieved a "Gift Revolution" gift, I pray that, if you haven't already done so, accept the greatest gift all. THE ONE THAT JESUS HAS GIVEN US ALL. I hope that this Idea of the GIFT REVOLUTION doesn't end on Christmas day but become a part of our lives. Thanks Flamingo for the Gift Revolution!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-12-15 19:04:21

Wallet Found

Don Holz, 48, Davie, FL, US

Early Sunday morning I found myself in a ditch just outside of the Cooper City campus on Flamingo Road. (It's not what you think! I was setting up the Flaming Road parking entrance for the Sunday services.) What caught my attention was a womans wallet in good condition in the ditch. There was no money in it, but there were a couple of other things, including pictures, the young woman's student ID, and what appeared to be her birth certificate from the Bahamas. Today I contacted the BCC Campus Security and gave them the wallet. But before I did I put a giftrevolution.com card inside it and said a prayer asking God to help return these items to her. The security guard thanked me and assured me that the director of the school could find this woman's home phone number based on her student ID and that they would contact her. I continue to pray that the wallet is returned to her and that she goes one step further and shares her story with all of us....

2008-12-15 18:01:13

Movies

Marlies Jones, 45, Hollywood, US

I paid for two movie tickets at Regal Oakwood Cinema and the clerk told me that a gentleman right before me told her to give a $10 gift card to the next person. I was amazed and will definetly pay it forward. I will write about it as soon as I do it. This is a great way of giving. Marlies

2008-12-15 17:49:40

Gift of Home

Stephania, 29, Miramar, US

Since the beginning of the year, my family and I have been searching for a place to call home. We had been living with my in-laws for the past 2 years and due to lack of funds and credit, have had difficulty getting a home. Two weeks before Thanksgiving, we came across a wonderful house which was for rent and the owners were only asking for 1st and security. We had the first, but not the security. A very close friend of the family stepped up and offered to give us the $1400 we needed to move in because she felt deep in her heart that we needed to be in that house, not to mention it is literally 2 minutes away from her. Without her, we would not have been able to move into a gorgeous 3/2 single family home on a cul-de-sac with awesome neighbors. Our kids are now settled and happy and we've finally found a sense of peace and balance. We are very thankful that God put this wonderful person in our lives!

2008-12-15 17:17:02

Recieved the gift revolution

Brandi , 28, Ava, US

I recieved my gift revolution in a wal mart check out line i was checking out and the lady ahead of me left it for the cashier to give me. I am a christian and was deeply touched by this. I have been under alot of stress My 48 year old mother suffered from a stroke on 10/29/2008, she has no insurance, and is unable to work she lives on her own. We have been raising money to help pay for her medicine. This truly came at a wonder ful time. Thanks so much for my gift you truley helped in a time of need. ~God Bless~

2008-12-15 16:49:56