Borders

Alyson, 26, Pembroke Pines, US

Borders is where you can find me during my lunchtime from work. I normally don't have much time to read at home...running behind a toddler, so the 1 hour I get is perfect! Since I don't usually buy anything, I figured "why not keep the revolution going?" So with that in mind, I walked up to the cashier to pay for a $10 gift card and stuck a Gift Revolution card inside. I told her to give the card to the next person who came in her line. She was suprised of course and said, "Really? That's so nice of you..." Just Day 11 of 25!

2008-12-11 14:32:24

Random Act of kindness

Mary Ann Arman, 43, Pembroke Pines, US

I'm writing about my 13 year old Son, Jacob Arman. He has been so inspired by The Gift Revolution that he has been passing out cards with a Cherry candy cane attatched to the card. He has gone to Wal-Mart twice and he's handed out approximately 34 cards with candy canes. He finds it challanging and interesting. Jacob said that he never thought it would be so hard to give out candy. Most people are skeptical or afraid and they think he is selling the candy canes. Some people just wouldn't take them. I'm guessing he went up to at least 50 people and out of the 50 people only 34 people would take the candy cane and card. Some people told him that they didn't speak English and walked away. I'm so proud of my Son because it takes courage to walk up to 50 strangers and offer them a gift. He plans on handing out at least 50 more by this Sat. I, myself have put cards in all my 45 Christmas cards that I'm sending to friends & family. I also bought 5 Star Bucks gift cards and had my daughter give them to the employees at her Chiropractors Office of Course with the Gift Revolution Card. So we are trying and we are enjoying spreading random acts of kindness around the world. This was a awesome idea ! ! ! ! We love Flamingo Road Church ! ! ! ! !

2008-12-11 14:09:43

Gift Giving

Marti Runnels, 56, Zephyrhills, US

Giving to a total stranger poised to be a bigger deal than I would have imagined. It seems I am shy, or more likely just used to people coming to me For help, not me seeking out someone to give to. After 3 attempts of trying to pay a total stranger's purchases in 2 different retail stores and a drugstore, all failures....I put a crisp new $20 bill in a Christmas card and handed it to a couple coming into the bank. What helped me was the money was in an envelope and I just said Merry Christmas and drove away...Quick! Looking forward to doing this again, probably not the bank, I may get chased away.

2008-12-11 13:18:18

Receiving and Giving

Kristen Grube, 49, Conway, US

After work last Sunday I went to the Myrtle Beach Mall to have a bite to eat before heading home. When I walked into the mall a young lady handed me a candy cane and the Gift Revolution card. Unaware of the movement, I visited the web-site the next day. I was over joyed to read all the wonderful stories of giving and receiving. I have had a very rough few months losing my full time job and only able to obtain a part time replacement at a Gourmet shop in the Tanger Outlets in Myrtle Beach. I love this new job God has blessed me with but wish it were full-time as I am still behind on my mortgage and other bills but either way I was still determined to find a way to join this revolution. I once had a gift shop in Conway and had a great deal of Christmas gift wrap left in my garage so I downloaded a dozen or so Gift Revolution cards printed them out and left a little early to go to work at my P/T job. I brought a dozen rolls of the candy cane wrapping paper and handed them out with the Gift Revolution cards at the Tanger Outlets in Myrtle Beach. I simply handed out the gift wrap and cards and wished the people a Merry Christmas. It was a gift I could afford to give and felt great to be able to make others happy. What a wonderful feeling to see the suprised expressions on their faces!! Certainly it is better to give than to receive although I will say receiving that simple candy cane certainly brightened my holidays this year.

2008-12-11 12:32:03

CoPay

Julie, 31, Paragould, US

This week I had an appointment to take my son to the Dr. A few hours before appointment time I got the idea that maybe I could pay for someone else's copay that day. It has been an issue for our family at one time or another. Some times its a burden to think about paying a copay then having to go to the pharmacy to buy perscriptions. One visit to the Dr just over a cold that will not go away can add up. So after we were called back I asked the nurse to give the $20 attached to the card to the receptionist to pay for or toward someones copay/bill. I asked her not to tell who gave. But to let the person know, that someone wanted to help them in a small way have a Merry Christmas and asks only that they in return help some one else however they can. As soon as the Dr came into the room, which was not long, she told me I had spread Christmas cheer all through out the office. I questioned how? I had already forgotten giving the money. I do not know who received the money, if they were happy about it or not? I praise God for the money I was able to give! And may God Bless the person who received it!!

2008-12-11 12:07:30

TGR hits Antarctica

The Mackey Family, 43, Miramar, FL, US

Pastor Troy mentioned that the only continent missing from TGR was Antarctica... After several days and many missed attempts, we finally found a live person to give a gift to in...Antarctica. We sent a Christmas poem to Mr Wood, a high school teacher, who is currently there conducting research on the Erebus volcano. They are doing some really cool stuff. Visit his BLOG at: http://www.polartrec.com/erebus-volcano-antarctica We pray for all the researchers way down south and their safe travels. The Mackey Family - Steve, Sheri, Stephen (aka Banana Boy), and Savannah

2008-12-11 10:50:34

Help During a Difficult Time

Cosner Family, 36, Pembroke Pines, US

In July our family suffered a heavy blow when we found out our son had suffered a heart attack while serving in the U.S. Air Force resulting in a brain injury. We spent many weeks by his side helping him to recover and my wife was forced to leave her job. We have 3 other children at home and the loss of income caused some difficulty. 2 of our children are in pre-school and we were very surprised and humbled when my wife went to the school and was told that another parent had extended a gift of paying for 1 week of tuition for our kids. The kindness expressed to our family was so great and we hope to have the opportunity to do the same for another family as our situation improves. Our eternal gratitude goes out to that parent and her family. Thank you so much for your kind gesture.

2008-12-11 09:52:29

Dunkin' a Gift

Christian Ayala, 37, Oakland Park, US

Gift cards are perfect for this revolution! At Dunkin Donuts I asked the cashier to put $10 on a card for the next customer... and put 2 giftrevolution.com cards with it. Here is the pic of the guy who got it... he couldn't understand it, but grab the gift and our card and read it with awe... I am pretty sure I impacted a couple of lives yesterday.... cashier asked me for a card as well!

2008-12-11 08:31:18

Love.Lead.Serve

lovin' life, 101, Ava, Missouri, US

I was a part of the greatest event our church could be a part of tonight. When I walked in the front was filled to the top with items for a FREE sale , presents for foster families and food for their Christmas dinners. Everybody was laughing and working in the most organized fashion. There wasn't a person there that didn't jump in and help, a lady helped watch the children and picked up the trash from all the wrapping paper mess(even threw away the pastor's wifes cell phone, hahaha) Gods love was wrapped with each gift. I truly believe that The Gift Revolution has changed the hearts of our small community forever. It's been 2 weeks, a habit of loving for life.

2008-12-11 02:07:43

Gift Basket

Jessica, 24, Ava, Missouri, US

I met a lady tonight that recieved a gift basket with a few christmas items, candy and several TGR cards. I commented how fun that was for her recieving that gift and she told me that she'll eat one of the candies, pass out the TGR cards to people in her small church and give the rest of the basket to a friend of hers that had just lost her job. How cool is that... she already knew she wanted to pass on the revolution within seconds of recieveing the gift that was for her.

2008-12-11 01:56:22

Biggest miracle of our lives

Anonymous, 47, Fort Lauderdale, US

Our business has been struggling for several months due to the downturn in the economy. We have restructured, gotten some new business and expect things to start improving. However, the past 6 months have been extremely difficult. We were really on the brink, and behind on our mortgage, and praying fervently for a miracle. Today someone we know handed us a check for $12,000, no strings attached, along with a Gift Revolution card!!! It is exactly what we need for the next few months until the new contracts start paying out. We were speechless and shaking, and oh so thankful. This is the essence of the Gift Revolution - we know it was sacrificial. God broadsided us, we didn't see it coming! We were trusting, but had no clue how He was going to do it. God is faithful.

2008-12-11 00:26:52

Thanks for the latte!

Valerie Trejo, 24, Shreveport, US

i was at starbucks this a.m. and the lady in front of me bought my latte... it made my morning a lot sweet!

2008-12-11 00:23:32

Merry Christmas at Winn-Dixie

Anthony Rotundo, 45, Jacksonville, US

On Monday I was at a Winn-Dixie in Lake Asbury, and bought a $25 gift card and seen a lady with a baby that looked to be about 1-2 months old. She had a cart full of groceries and was near the baby aisle and was thumbing through her coupons and I went up to her and gave her the gift card and revolution card and told her here is a $25 gift card and wished her a Merry Christmas. At first she didn't know what to think, I told her there's no catch, she had a big smile on her face when I left. It was a great feeling. I know when we were buying formula for our girls and how much it was, that would have made our day. Can't wait to do more for the revolution - that's what our world needs more than ever...

2008-12-11 00:21:00

Teddy Bear

Joyce Schneider, 50, Tampa, US

Today I had just gotten some bad news and I was a bit bummed. I was sitting at a stop light and thinking how unfair life could be sometimes and I looked over and in the car beside me, a little boy was screaming in the back seat. The dad just looked at me and shrugged, he wasn't having such a good day either. I had some Teddy Bears in the back seat of my car that I was giving to kids, so I reached back, grabbed a Teddy Bear and jumped out of my car. As I walked over to the man's car, he explained that his son had autism and he had gotten upset and wouldn't calm down. I handed him a teddy bear through the window, and he immediately stopped crying. I saw there was another little boy in the back as well, so I went back to my car and got him a teddy bear tool. The father looked at me with such appreciation ... and gave me a huge smile. I handed him a gift revolution card and told him to have a nice day. As he pulled away, my day didn't seem so bad after all.

2008-12-11 00:17:15

Cinnamon roll at the mall

Nic Rogers, 120, Tallahassee, US

=] today was the 2nd best day of this entire year because of this group. me and my friend went to the mall and gave a cinnamon roll to a guy that worked at jc penney who looked like he was having the worst day ever. he was so surprised by us and he looked so thankful. then we went to the cookie store and bought 5 cookies for the next 5 people in line and the lady who worked there had this wide-eyed stare and because there were cameras and she didnt want to lose her job for what would look like giving out free stuff, she checked with her manager, and came back almost skipping and said it was ok. as we paid she said "you know, you guys just made my day" the next 3 people in line had a 5-6 year old child each =]

2008-12-11 00:12:59

Revolution by accident

Shilah Seale, 150, Oklahoma City, US

Just found this website by accident during one of my woe is me parties....boy was I humbled QUICK. I quickly got over myself and jumped on board this revolution. I have some catching up to do so yesterday I tried to fit in as many pay it forwards as I could; I was able to do six and today my kids and I put $3 9the only cash in my purse) into the inside of a baby formula lid with a card, instead of buying our usual snacks at Walmart in hopes of letting another mom and her kids enjoy a treat on someone else. I've only been doing this for two days now, but I already feel like a better person, someone I've missed for a long time now. Thank you all for your inspiring stories!

2008-12-11 00:09:10

Our dinner was payed!

Frank Diaz, 150, Miami, US

Had someone pay for our dinner last night. As we approached the cashier, they handed us a Gift Revolution card and mentioned the person that was in line before us, paid for our dinner and wanted us to receive this card. We had seen this on TV before. Great idea since the holidays are about giving.

2008-12-11 00:05:33

1 item quick shop

Sonia Cotera Aleman, 150, Fort Lauderdale, US

Friday night, I went into Walgreen for the usual "1 item quick shop," - yeah right LOL- 10 items later, I asked the man ahead of me at the check out if I could put my items down. He moved his over, and told the cashier, "These are mine, those are hers...that is unless she wants to pay for it all." I replied, "I'm a teacher-As much as I would love to, I cant even afford mine!" We laughed a bit. He said, "I can't believe what you guys get paid." "It's all good." I said. "There's no greater gift than making a difference in a child's life." The cashier gave the man his change - He turned to me and said, "Take this; I want you to have it." I said, "Absolutely not, but God bless you! That's the sweetest thing ever!!!" He kept insisting, until he just set the $10.00 dollars on the counter, and handed me a card which read, "The Gift Revolution." All around me were in awe! I was overwhelmed with joy and filled with the spirit!!!! The next day, I shared my story and payed it forward!!

2008-12-11 00:02:42

Practice friendliness! ...it'

Tony Kluz, 51, Miramar, US

Giving is always better than receiving. And this gift won't cost you a thing! This no cost gift idea is provided by Dr. John H. Sklare of Daily Reflections. He relayed a story of a grouchy neighbor that never smiled, said hello, or asked how he was doing. She took bad advice from others, never acknowledged him and simply ignored him when they crossed paths. "In my opinion, the world would be a vastly better place if we were all a bit friendlier to each other." I always told my wife Annette; 'Dignity and respect... as far as I am concerned, it doesn't matter if your neighbors or two people going through divorce; it will reflect!' "...the practice is physically and mentally good for both parties!" So join me in a very small attempt to create a friendlier, kinder world by practicing "friendliness"! Be kind to each other! Start Today! ;)

2008-12-10 23:45:52

Sushi

VCN, 42, North Myrtle Beach S, US

Tonight my son and I stopped to eat some sushi and the waitress came up to our table and said it was paid for. This gift revolution thing is on a roll. Dinner was great tonight, thanks to the ones who gifted us!

2008-12-10 22:31:02