I went with my friend John to a taco bell right before i had to go to school, something we did on a daily routine before class. We decided to get off and order something to eat. I have carried my camera around for a couple of days waiting for that little nudge, and in due time i got it. I told the friendly employee what i wanted to purchase the meals of the next 5 individuals, or the next family that entered the empty restaurant. A couple of minutes of waiting, my friend and I noticed a car pull up and a family of four entered the Taco Bell. My camera was in clear view, and they approached the employee, they ordered and their bill was just handed to them. The employee told them their food was already purchased by the gentleman sitting in back of you. The look of astonishment on their faces was priceless. The feeling was indescribable, i plan on doing many more before the 25 days our up..
2008-12-12 01:23:34
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67PFw63QQaY
Wounded Warriors @ VA Hospital
Tony KLuz, 51, Tampa, US
Each month, we celebrate service to the nation and personal sacrifices of 20 or more "Wounded Warriors" from all of the military services that are recovering from their severe wounds at the Haley VA Hospital in Tampa, Florida. It is a huge dinner (400 people or more) that recognizes the troops, their families and those of us that honor them by providing this dinner. The rewarding experience of hanging out with these heros (some in wheelchairs, multiple amputees, etc.) is beyond words! It is always catered by someone local like Outback Steak House, Columbia Rest, etc. It is all paid for through donations from local corporations and it is conducted 100% by volunteers who set up, decorate, serve the meal, and clean up at the end... gifts are also provided to the Troops, their spouses, and families! Tonight was the Christmas theme meal for December and there was Ham, Turkey, Pork, Potatoes, Salad, Stuffing, Sweet Potatoes (Nasty) ;) Rice and Beans, Cranberry, Bread, Sweet Plantain, Cake, Ice Cream, drinks, etc. :) The average dinner cost approximately $3,000 each month for such an event... Tonight my employer: Booz, Allen, and Hamilton paid for the meal! After personally volunteering for this each month for the last 2 years (Wife Annette and my boys; Tony Jr. and Brandon have participated also.) I decided to give a "Gift Revolution Card" of my own and presented a check for $1,500 to co-sponsor the meal for next month! :) Many Blessings to those in harm's way! Pray for God to provide guidance to those in command to always make the best possible decision! Those who are haters... (JB) these men and women provide you the freedom for your ill-behavior in this great country! De Nada. God loves you too!
2008-12-12 01:03:58
Senior Photos
Jessica, 24, Ava, MO, US
A lady came to my photography business wanting to purchase a gift card for a senior in our local school that couldn't normally afford to have photos taken. After talking to her for a few moments she told me how this came to her to "adopt" a senior for the school year. She wants to help that child purchase those special things that generally cost a lot and make their senior year memories of fun. This lady was doing this not even knowing about the gift revolution , but her acts of kindness are very worthy of sharing.
2008-12-12 00:47:12
A Pleasant Surprise
Rosalind, 52, North Myrtle Beach, , US
After a long day of decorating and shopping, I was happily on my way home. A little weary and with aching feet, I went through the drive-through at a local restaurant. Imagine my surprise when the cashier stated that my meal had been paid for by the previous patron. I enjoy doing small things for people and it was delightful to be on the receiving end of selfless generosity. I shared my story with my fellow co-workers and found that one of them had received a gift as well. I was amazed to see so many stories listed for the North Myrtle Beach area. What a wonderful experience.
2008-12-12 00:11:07
Ways to give
Linda , 29, Middleburg, US
I have been so excited about this revolution. Sometimes fear gets the best of me when I try to reach out to strangers and I question what to do. This card has made it so much easier. Like most of you I have been trying to find different ways to share, so this is what I've done so far.
I have paid for coffee in the drive thru, bought a Subway card for the next person coming in, droped off a large bag of food at the safe animal shelter -animals need love too - bought lunch for the Salvation Army bell ringers who are so faithful to serve, made a casserole for a friend, gave away a vaccum cleaner, let someone use a machine I rented, left bigger than normal tips, gave away a bike,opened car doors for the elderly in the rain and gave all of my customers a discount on their next yard service. After doing all that for others, I still feel that I am the one being blessed. This card seems to empower you to look for ways,(harder than you ever have) to bless others. I hope we can make new cards to do this all year. (How about it Pastor Eric Jaffe)
God is truly amazing.
2008-12-12 00:09:52
Care for chilren, who are hurt
Billie, 70, Ava, US
Recently I took some Bibles, quilts, laprobes and other items from our Compassionate care group to a local Childrens Home for abused and foster children and was inspired by their need, to donate more items on my own of cleaning items and toilet tissue and paper towels, and shampoo. This week I have been handing out Candy bars along with gift revolution cards. I even gave a poinsettia and a card for the lady behind me at Wal-Mart who was complaining about how slow the checker was, I didn't stay around to see the look on her face , but I'm sure she must have smiled.
2008-12-11 23:00:10
The Good in This World
Robin, 46, Davie, US
I had just gotten home from work 30 minutes before someone knocked at the door. A pretty dark haired girl with a Santa hat on , probably about 13 or 14, was standing on my porch and asked me if I was Robin. I said yes and she handed me a red envelope and said Merry Christmas and went down the steps. I said thank you and closed the door. The envelope was pretty thick and I thought maybe candy or something was in it. I worked at the elementary school in the neighborhood for a few years and I thought maybe it was one of the kids or their family. I open the card and I see a stack of money. I shut the card as fast as I opened it and looked at my daughter. Her eyes were all big and her mouth fell open. I opened it back up again and it was 20's and a 10 and 50 dollar bill. Then I counted it .....$600 dollars!! No kidding!! I just stood there staring at it and the card said a Christmas Wish on the front and inside ... May the beauty and the blessings of this special season bring warmth to you home and peace to your heart. Merry Christmas.
Then signed Have a blessed Christmas and New Year, The Gift Revolution.com. I want the beautiful people who helped this happen to know just how much peace and warmth they did bring to our home. You see on the dining room table was a letter to pay the rent or vacate the premesis by the 12th. This is truly a gift from Jesus and wonderful, beautiful people with much love and God in their hearts. I never imagined anything like this could ever happen. My faith is restored in mankind. May people all over the world feel the blessings from God and each other throughout the years to come. I love you!
Robin and children.
2008-12-11 22:31:19
Candy Sale
Jim, 41, Pembroke Pines, FL, US
As I walked out of Best Buy I was approached be a youth selling candy. You typically see them all the time doing fund raisers for their sports team or school. I declined the sale and walked to my car to leave. Before I started the truck I looked in my wallet and the first bill I saw was a $10 and thegiftrevoltion card. I pulled out of my space and drove up beside the two youths selling the candy and asked what team they played for. The one that had asked me as I exited replied, "Lauderdale Lakes Vikings Basketball sir." I gave him the $10 and TheGiftRevolution card and told him to keep the candy. They were both grateful and thanked me. Continue the Revolution!!!!
2008-12-11 21:06:42
McDonalds gift
Carol, 47, Naples, US
A lady in the car in front of me at a McDonald's drive-thru paid for my meal and left the card. It was a pleasant surprise. I will pay it forward!
2008-12-11 20:45:00
A not so Typical Day
Feleshia Wright, 35, Ava, US
I was having a typical afternoon. I picked the kids up from school and took them to WalMart to pick up the things I needed to make Christmas cookies, and fudge and divinity. I was already starting to dread the decision to bring the Monsters as we walked from the back end of the parking lot as they where full of all that pent up after school energy. At 12, 9, 6, and 5…that’s a lot of energy.
And them something not so typical happened as we got up to the handicapped parking section. A woman approached me as I was mid way into a “Come on, settle down..” reminder speech. She smiled and pressed a card into my hand and said, “I’d like you to have this.” I did manage a thank you and a smile before she walked away, and got into her car. Then I looked at what she had handed me. There was a glossy black TheGiftRevolution.com card and it was wrapped in a $5 bill. That may not seem like much too many, but for some it is. Especially in a pay check to pay check house hold. And it was certainly enough to make me walk into that store with tears in my eyes.
We looked up the site when we got home, and now we are looking for our way to pay it forward. Sometimes it’s good when an afternoon isn’t typical.
2008-12-11 20:01:03
Double Blessing
Lorena Lucas, 44, Zephyrhills, US
Today I went into our local WalMart to buy pictures, and I walked out having received a blessing. I decided that I would purchase a $25 gift card and give it to a random family. I asked the clerk to put $25 on the card, and then asked her to give it to the next person who came through her line with a child. The look on her face was priceless. She began to tear up and she grabbed my hands and began rubbing them. She just kept saying "God will bless you for this." I did not have to wait to see who she gave the gift card to. She was so excited to be able to give that card away, and my prayer was for her as well as the one who would receive the small gift.
2008-12-11 19:57:57
WE
Angela, 31, Havelock, US
I over heard a little boy in line talking about how he wanted Wii for christmas,his mom told him not this Christmas since she didnt have a job and 3 other children at home. I counldnt stop thinking about the family.When i got home the gift revolution cards had came in the mail.At dinner i shared the story with my family and both of my children asked if they could give thier Wii and games to the little boy, long story short we found the lady(our town is small)and gave away our Wii!!The happiness that we recived was worth it!!
2008-12-11 19:42:31
the gift of TGR
Ann Somrah, 30, Miami Beach, US
i just wanted to take a moment to post my gratitute for TGR. we serve an awesome, creative God and TGR is a really fantastic campaign that materializes that fact. TGR has inspired me to become innovative in the act of giving. God has blessed me with soo many ideas that it astounds me sometimes when i tell other people about what i'm going to do next for TGR. i'm proud to be a part of this global campaign that is changing the world by acts of giving. kindness at it's core is a human element. TGR rocks!
2008-12-11 18:51:02
RE: Blessings in a Salon
Mrs M., 24, Pembroke Pines, US
Thanks..
Mom to be, dad to be, and the twins...
2008-12-11 18:49:52
Bell Ringers
Karen, 47, North Myrtle Beach, , US
They need love too. I was at Walmart today and it was raining cats and dogs but there the Salvation Army Lady sat, ringing the bell. While I was in Walmart I purchased a Christmas tree shaped box of Christmas tree cookies. When I left I gave them to her (along with a TGR card, of course) and said here, this is for you, Merry Christmas. She got a really big smile and look of shock on her face. She was very grateful and it felt soooo good to give! You should try it, if you haven't already!
2008-12-11 18:44:31
SCHOOL REVOLUTION
Christopher, 6, Sunrise, FL, US
Today at my school-Parkway Christian School-I gave all the kids in Mrs Gonzalez's and Mrs. Button's 1rst grade classes a quarter(for ice-cream day tomorrow) a Gift Revolution card and a pack of M&M minis.I told them how I want to inspire them and to do something nice for someone else so we can help to change the world in 25 days!!!
This was Christoper's idea and he spent his own money. What a blessing to be a part of!!
The video is great but too long for You Tube!
We hoped everyone could have seen it.
2008-12-11 18:17:35
Candy Canes
Blair Josephs, 5, North Myrtle Beach, US
We gave out Candy Canes and gift revolution cards at Myrtle Beach Mall this week. My brother helped. I ate one though. It was good.
2008-12-11 17:40:42
Free Snacks for Freshmen
Manfred Reiter, 24, Innsbruck, AT
Hey everybody,
In a spontaneous action I was buying snacks for 10 people at the bakery next to my University in Innsbruck. Heading over to the auditorium, my idea was to leave these snacks and a thegiftrevolution.com card for each a small morning surprise for some of the students and naturally one extra for the professor. I hope everybody was enjoying it!
My next stop will be the local hospital and on Tuesday I will start the revolution in Munich/Germany.
Best greetings from snowy Austria,
Manfred
2008-12-11 16:48:47
Hit & Run @ Wendys
The Sheppards, 150, cooper city, US
I was in the drive thru at Wendys on Pine Island yesterday and decided to "revolutionize" the car behind me..Asked the cashier to add the car behind me to my total..Gave her the TGE card and asked her to please give it to the woman behind me..I managed to take off before the woman even knew what had happened..Hopefully it brightened her day a bit..
2008-12-11 14:57:47
Christopher - Part 1
Christopher, 6, Miramar, Fl, US
Today Christopher Started The Gift Revolution at Parkway Christian School in Davie.
