Ken and Aprile's Gift Revoluti

Ken and Aprile, 43, Zephyrhills, US

After hearing some Gift Revolution testimonies, my husband Ken and I baked 104 chocolate/oatmeal cookies and 84 sugar cookies in the shape of christmas trees, teddy bears, and trains. We created 21 lunchbags with "Gift Revolution" written on them. I went to the local 7-11 and passed out 2 bags to 2 clerks then 8 bags to 8 people in the parking lot. They each smiled and said "Thank you and Merry Christmas". I drove up a few blocks and found about 10 teenageers just hanging out & asked if they wanted free cookies from the Gift Revolution; they were so excited and eagerly accepted them. I reminded them to check out thegiftrevolution.com website. Then I saw a homeless man and gave him one! Then we made a video and posted it on Youtube under people/blogs. ~ That's what we did for The Gift Revolution~ What are you going to do? :)

2008-12-09 11:25:19

Pay Back

Cheryl, 48, Paragould, US

I was shopping in Walmart after work when a girl looking to be about 20 years old walked up to an older gentleman close to me and asked for a dollar to buy gas. She said she was trying to get back to Jonesboro but didn't have money for gas... he politely turned her down so I called her over and gave her $5 and a card. Just the day before on the Walmart parking lot my husband & I had a flat and a nice couple offered to air up the tire with their portable air compressor. I figured the least I could do is pay back the kindness that was shown to us.

2008-12-09 11:02:55

A Family Affair

Donna Clemons, 49, Gallatin, US

My husband and I have been having the most wonderful time with the Gift Revolution! My youngest child is completing her Master's Degree at UT in Knoxville and she is in town for a teacher's conference in Nashville. Last night she and her boyfriend met my husband and I in Gallatin for dinner. I had already told Whitney about what we were doing and what the Gift Revolution was all about, but thought I would put it into action!! We asked our waitress to go to a certain table, give the individuals the Gift Revolution card and tell them that someone had bought them dessert. We could see the people at the table talking with the waitress and in a few minutes out came their dessert. The people at the table looked around for a while, but never could figure out where the dessert came from. It was awesome! Then, my husband had to go to work and my daughter, her boyfriend and I went to Wal-Mart to pick-up my granddaughter a specific item for Christmas. After we left Wal-mart, we were walking to my car and the "buggy" guy was getting his carts together. I thought it would be fun (because my daughter's boyfriend is VERY shy) to have Michael give him a TGR card, $5.00 and tell him about the Gift Revolution, that we appreciate his hard work and Merry Christmas. Michael took the card and money from me and when he turned around, he saw there were two men. I gave Michael another TGR card and $5.00. Whitney and I watched as Michael went up to the two gentlemen and gave them the TGR card, the money, and spoke with them. You could tell that the two gentlemen were very surprised! They told Michael thank you! Michael came back to the car and told us what the two men said. It was as if no one had ever done anything for them. As we drove off, we could see the two gentlemen still talking and looking at their TGR cards! Not only is the Gift Revolution such a huge blessing to others and to my husband and I, it was AWESOME to share this with my daughter! I gave my daughter and Michael 5 TGR cards each and asked them to pass it on!!!

2008-12-09 10:56:14

Thank you

Lisa, 43, Ava, US

Thank you to the wonderful person who paid for my lunches! It made my week!

2008-12-09 10:20:53

Pay it Forward

Karen A Sazanow, 56, Pembroke Pines, US

I wanted to share a very special story with all of you. I pray every day that God will show me how I can be a part of the Gift Revoulution. One of the things I started to think about is how our office is like an extended family so I began to share stories of the amazing things that we were doing. So, I challenged all of them. I received a phone call from my Supervisor, Ellen, who was so excited because she had contacted the radio station Majic 102.7 and told Rick Shaw how that this year instead of giving the staff presents she was going to donate that money to the " Childrens Fund" that he was a part of. She only asked if she was to come down to the radio station would he be so kind as to sign Thank you cards so she would be able to put them in our stockings. He was so moved by this expression of giving that he is personally coming out to our office to thank all of us. How cool is it that we also get to see this all come together. Well, then all of the staff said they wanted to give money that we would normally use to buy Ellen a gift and present it to Rich Shaw when he comes out. We were all so pumped up that we then called all of the Loan officers here and asked that they take the money they ususally buy us gifts with and donate it to a charity of there choice. I sent this to the entire Bank and challenged them to "Pay it Forward" God is amazing.

2008-12-09 10:05:00

Still thinking of something bi

Scott , 38, Pembroke Pines, US

My first story is I saw a woman buying childrens clothes and counting pennies so I walked over and placed my credit card in the slot and paid for the clothes. she was extremly happy and shocked... Next, I was talking to someone where the friendship is still developing. as we spoke I could tell she was not very happy. She told me her story how she was short of rent money and had been eatting Mac and Cheese the last couple of days. I gave her the money for rent and some left over to buy food. she didn;t want to take it, but we talked how God wants us to except gifts humbly and more so we were at FRC looking at the Gift Revolution sign. My last story... I was walking up to theRUSH Cooper City and a bunch of people came up to me saying how much they loved my hoodie... one student loved it a lot. so I took it off and gave it to him... shock and awe.... But, now I am thinking, what can I do to really influence the world,....

2008-12-09 07:52:35

The receiver

Angela K. Ross, 47, Pembroke Pines, US

I was walking out of the Pembroke Pines mall when a lady called out to me and when I looked back she handed me a gift and said God Bless you. I was so speechless that I didn't say a word but my sister thanked her for me. It took me by surprise. It real move my heart that a perfect stranger just gave me a gift.

2008-12-09 03:52:59

Red Robin

Toni , 19, Fort Myers, US

Im a waitress at red robin, in fort myers florida. i was closing on a monday night when four guys walk in. they order food and i have another table while im waiting on them. they offer to pay for my other tables food. it was a guy and a girl, i just figured he knew them.he handed me this card that said "the gift revolution" he said that they were giving for 25 days and he wanted to pay for their meal. it was an amazing things, a very kind thing especially from younger kids my age. he left me a 40.00 dollar tip. i had to look up this website and share my story with you guys. i didnt get their names but you guys are wonderful people and should be very proud of yourselves. thanks!

2008-12-09 03:08:52

The Gift of Day Care

Soto Family, 33, Pembroke PInes, FL, US

For The Gift Revolution my husband and I decided to pay for a week of childcare for a family at our daughter's preschool. A decision was made for a very special family chosen by the Preschool Director, whom we were told are going through some difficult times. We were really pumped about giving this gift so I purchased a Christmas card and wrote a short note to the family explaining to them what our TGR gift was and taped a TGR card inside the Christmas card. I gave the card to the Director and asked that she hand it to the mother when she came to make her weekly payment. The timing was impecable! I showed up this morning to drop off our daughter and saw the mom with her two little girls walk through the doors at the preschool. As she went to pay her weekly daycare, the Director handed her our Christmas card and told her that her daycare had been paid for the week by a family at the school! I was told she was totally surprised, I was watching from a distance and I was so happy to see her reaction. It's an awesome feeling how God worked through our hearts the way He did so that we could share the Gift Revolution with them. Merry Christmas :o)

2008-12-09 01:01:39

Late Story #1...

Marcy Ribeiro, 25, Pembroke Pines, Fl, US

I was hoping to share this story on the road trip blog, but I think it never made it. So, it's about time I share it here. I was privileged enough to go on the first leg of the gift revolution road trip to Key West. After a day of going down Duval Street and passing out water bottles, chips and candy canes with TGR cards, the team ended the night by going to the pier where the ships sail off. There were several street performers, several homeless folks [who were so kind], and tons of people. I was walking asking God who could I give a gift too. After pondering, the daughter of one of the street performers came up to me. She is in the fifth grade and she told me she liked my Christmas hat. Long story short- I placed the hat on her head and told her "it's yours". She was so excited! She walked with me and the team and talked with us, road one of our guys skateboard, and all because of a Christmas hat. Something so silly, so small, yet God brought her our way and was able to bless her with a hat. I'll be praying for you Lailani!

2008-12-09 00:58:09

Paid for someone's lunch at Mc

Louis Gauttier, 45, San Antonio, FL, US

I was going through the drive-thru at McDonald's and had decided to pay for whoever was behind me. I told the cashier that I wanted to pay for the person behind me and they said ok. I asked the cashier to give him the gift revolution card and he said he would. As I was pulling out of the drive-thru, I could see the cashier in my rear-view mirror explaining to the person behind me that his food had already been paid for. Giving feels so much better than receiving, the feeling seems to come straight from the heart.

2008-12-08 23:42:28

eggs

Chandler, 9, ava, US

I got up early to make my mom breakfast. I made her scrambled eggs and orange juice. When she came in she was surprised to find the breakfast with a card under the bowl.

2008-12-08 23:30:59

Mexican treat

Terrell, 43, Hendersonville, US

We were eating the other day at a local mexican eatery and I love surprising people. I told the waiter to give a dessert to this couple across from us and give a TGR card to them. I loved the look on their face as they got the treat and the card. They looked around with surprise as they read the card and then they smiled and chowed down. Priceless

2008-12-08 23:19:00

Kooky Pen!

Mary R., 41, Pembroke Pines, US

I am a kindergarten teacher at an elementary school and what kindergarten teacher would not want a "Kooky" pen to use in her classroom???? Last Friday I was visiting a colleague afterschool in her classroom and as we were discussing the days' events one of my former students who is now in the 5th grade came over and handed me a really cute Kooky pen.....For those of you wondering what this is....it is a whimsical pen with a face painted on it with poofy-like, rubbery hair.....I knew the pens were being sold at our school as a fundraiser but I had not had the opportunity yet to go and purchase one. Since they have become very popular among the students I wondered why this boy was giving up his pen???? He had the biggest smile on his face and melted my heart when he said "its for you" and I said "you mean, as a gift?" and he said "yes" Because I know this family attends our church I immediately made the connection so I said in a whisper voice "is this a gift revolution?" and he said very quietly "yes" Awwwwwwwwwww, how cute is that?????????? I've been wearing my pen on my lanyard everyday since! Thanks Matthew!

2008-12-08 23:06:03

Food and Rent

gail, 52, sunrise, US

So many people are hurting where I work. One family is in such need. The husband just got out of the hospital and will not be able to return to work for about 4 months. The wife is working extra jobs and can't pay the bills or food. I joined with the gift revolution there and everyone is so inspired to give. We are adopting them this holiday as a family in need. Since I started this revolution at my work such great things have happened to me. I received tutoring jobs that I really needed to help my situation and have received gifts I never expected. Wow! God is great during this time.

2008-12-08 22:38:51

a gift of time

gail, 52, sunrise, US

I was so excited about this revolution that I was dreaming of ways to impact my students so they would see how important acts of kindness are to others. I designed gifts for each of my students with a present of one hour of free tutoring. I challeged each of them to do acts of kindness for others and inspire them to do the same. Wow! They are pumped up. We talk about what they're doing daily and we write about them. We are share them on our morning announcements via the T.V. I'm letting them share and inspire others. The tutoring is filling my soul. So, who really gets the gift? Everyone.

2008-12-08 22:28:28

...not toilet paper.

Giselle !, 15, Cooper City, Florida, US

I was entering my usual stall in the usual bathroom that i usually go to after second period, right before lunch. After doing my business, I reach for some toilet paper and find an index card type of deal in my way. "What," I think to myself, "is this thing in the way of my toilet paper?" Turns out it was a TGR card with a dollar stapled to it! My past couple of weeks had been so horrible, and then this happens. I was so excited that I couldn't stop smiling for the next few hours! Crazy, right? You always do random acts of kindness, but never think these things would happen to you. But then they do.

2008-12-08 22:26:20

McDonald's in Boca Raton

Emmanuel "Manny" Rivera, 25, Boca Raton, US

I wasn't planning on going to lunch, but I had some free time; plus I felt the nudge from God to go. So I went and stood in line inside McDonald's. It was a little bit of a wait in line because the girl that helped me out, was kind of new, and didn't know what to do. Since there were two registers, people were passing me, and going over to the next register. I just asked God to let the person that was supposed to, get the book with McDonald's dollars that I was going to buy. After a few minutes, I paid, and asked the girl to give TGR card to the next person along with the money book. She was in a little bit of shock, but she said "no problem". The next person came up, and she gave them him the book, and he looked at it not knowing what it was. I didn't want her to point me out, so I just walked away, but I hope the revolution starts spreading in Boca Raton...

2008-12-08 21:47:04

A gift to keep rolling

Dave Barcy, 47, Hollywood, fl., US

My nephew joe and his family needed tires on there car, he was recently layed off, father of two, hard worker, I felt it in my heart to tell him to go to my buddies shop and put four new tires on his car. (GOD BLESSES ME AND DAILY)

2008-12-08 21:40:41

gas station

hayley, 15, north myrtle beach, US

today i went into the gas station thinking i was about to by a pack of gum. i saw the perfect oppurtunity to do something good for tgr and taped two dollars and a tgr card on a bottle of soda. i felt great walking out that door with nothing but strong faith in god (:

2008-12-08 20:13:20