We know a single mom because her daughter is a friend of my daughter. How she makes it through each month we cannot guess. Her car screeches to high heaven and it stabs our heart everytime we hear it. We know the car has 130K miles and is on its last leg and she cannot repair it. Therefore, we felt called to ask her to take it to a mechanic and we would pay for repairs to make it reliable and safe. After the mechanic inspected it, he told me it needed a timing belt, engine seals, brakes, and a major tune-up. Our friend had asked him to fix the broken blinker handle, but he said it would cost $350 and was not worth it. I agreed and told him to go ahead with the rest and paid him. Then I asked if during this tough economic time if he sees many people in dire straits to get their car fixed. He said, "All the time." I gave him $200 and two gift revolution cards and asked him to help out two people he found in need. He said, "Those are mighty magnanimous gifts." I told him my church was participating in a gift revolution to spread random acts of kindness. When our single mom friend went to pick up her car, he told her that he fixed the blinker. We have no idea how he fixed it or why, but I am sure he was inspired by the gift revolution. God is great!
2008-12-06 22:31:51
Beef O Brady's
Mr. and Mrs. Moreno, 31, Cooper City, US
Today while we at Beef O Brady's my husband and I were inspired to buy a couple dinner. The whole idea of TGR has made us think twice about what we do in our daily lives. Hopefully TGR will last longer than the 25 days...Christmas should not be the only time you give to others.
2008-12-06 22:27:34
Christmas Parade
Seymour Life Group, 38, Seymour, US
Our small group set up a booth outside my aunt's beauty shop on the square in Seymour, MO during the annual Christmas parade. We gave away hot chocolate, cider, coffee and baked goods. Word got out that we were coming and so another church set up down the stree and did the same thing. It was GREAT! We were so excited to see that the Revolution was really taking hold. People really appreciated the hot drinks, especially kids that you could tell usually didn't get drinks out at things like this. We also visited with a lady that said you know I was I at McDonald's the other day and when I got to the window the lady said the car in front of me had already paid for my food. She said now I need to do something nice for her back... we told her better yet do something for someone you wouldn't normally do something for and give them this card. She smiled and said I'll do that. This has proven to be such a great experience we are making plans for events long past the 25 days. I know that this has changed how we look at giving forever. Thank you!
2008-12-06 22:16:29
Surprise at Chick Filet
Anne, 57, Longs, SC, US
I got in a long line tonight to get a milkshake after I had cried my way through most of the North Myrtle Beach Christmas parade. You see I was on a truck in the parade carrying a picture of my daughter, CPT Leigh Swafford, US Army, with the Blue Star Mothers, mothers of our service people, and Christmas is a difficult time. My daughter deploys for the first time early in 2009 and it was an emotional night. The car in front of me in line at Chick Filet paid for my milkshake. You will never know how appreciated that made me feel. The holidays are the worst time for our families. Remember our military and civilians in faraway places as you sit down with your family for Christmas dinner.
2008-12-06 21:30:51
It's A Revolution bby!
Kelli Krebs:), 15, North Myrtle Beach, GB
Last Friday, i got some birthday money and went to the mall in hopes of getting some sweet deals on some clothes. I decided to go into KB toys and buy a soccer ball for the Toys 4 Tots Drive. As i stood in line i remembered how hard it is for some people to give their kids some nice gifts for christmas. So when i got to the counter i asked to put $10 on a gift card. When i handed it back to the cashier with a gift revolution card, she was very confused and even asked me if this was some kind of prank. I explained what i was doing and although she was still confused as i walked away, she gave it to the 5th costumer as i asked. i felt so great to do that! it was funny cause after i did that, all i wanted to do was spend the rest of my money for other people!
Also, i got so pumped in class the other day. My teacher (who isn't supposed to talk about god to the class, but kinda does anyway:) started telling us about how she had run into seeing the gift revolution card again and again and didn't know much about it. She did some research and descovered what it is. She challenged the class to go out and do a random act of kindness and write which was more meaningfull for them and offered extra credit for an essay on it. I thought it was the coolest thing that my teacher, who lives like 45 minutes from nmb, even knew about it! When were she's not allowed to talk about God in the public school, challenged us to do this!
2008-12-06 21:17:29
New Car
Desiree, 17, Aurora, US
I recently got a 2000 Pontiac Grand Am SE as a gift from my uncle. It was very nice of him to buy me a car when know one else will. I really appreciate it and I love my car, but most of all my uncle Jesse Reyes.
2008-12-06 20:51:18
Gracious Stranger
Michael, 33, Jonesboro, US
I am posting this message on behalf of the person I saw receive the gift but will not have a way to post a comment herself. I recently went to the Jonesboro Christmas Parade and witnessed something that I thought would never happen, and reading some of the stories on here, is even more spirited with the true meaning of Christmas, in my opinion, than some allow themselves to think. Who needs a free cup of coffee when they have plenty of money to pay for it themselves, or who needs a. . . I wont belittle the people who posted because the giving was done from the heart and I am just a skeptic when it comes to people. I know too well how greedy we are, and how much we only give if it wont hurt us. I am guilty of failing to give to others far too often myself. In fact, when I saw what I am about to mention happen, I was a little jealous of not getting it myself when I am far from needy. I digress. As I mentioned, I was at the Christmas Parade, freezing, not really wanting to be there. I had been dragged there by someone who didn't want to go alone and I thought I would go simply because I was a nice person. Bah Humbug. I am not a nice person, I just do what it takes to appease the masses to keep order and keep people from spoiling my life with a whining of great magnitude because of my lack of caring. Right. As I was watching this parade that I have now mentioned 3 times with no avail, I saw a gentleman come along and pass this lady in front of me a card with what looked like cash attached. This lady in front of me I had complained about in my mind 20 -30 times in my head, but at this moment she seemed angelic to me. A woman God had used to show me something that I had missed up to this point. She was placed there to show me how much I take for granted. Initially I was shocked. They were giving away money? Where was mine? I want money. Then God changed my thinking. I saw the way this lady reacted to this gift. She basically broke down with tears of joy and elation at the prospect of having 20 dollars she didn't have 5 minutes before. I have to admit I was a little ashamed of myself for not being happy for her in the beginning. 20 dollars can make a world of difference to someone with nothing. I have 3, 20 dollar bills in my car just sitting there, how ashamed am I of this knowing that I am carelessly discarding money with no care and there are people who could have a wonderful Christmas on me.
2008-12-06 20:35:32
Wildfire in my HEART...
Katherine Warren, 31, Hollywood, US
Well my started like most normal ones. GET UP and GO TO WORK. Well I had gotten a catalog from the Family Christian book store in the mail yesterday with some coupons in it.. Well these children's devotional books were in there that I wanted to get for my 5 and 3 year old. They were on sale and there was a 25% off coupon in the catalog. So I figured I would stop their after work today. I went there and got the books. I got 2 for one pretty much with the sale and coupon. There were 3 more coupons in the book. So I gave them to 2 other people in line. Then there was a coupon for a $20.00 gift card if you spend over $200.00. So I gave it to the cashier and asked him if he would give it to the next person that came through the line spending that amount with a GR card. He was suprised because he seen me give the other coupons out. He said,"You have a generous heart." Made me smile.. So he said he would and he was gonna check out the website too. He loved the idea. So I left the store and went on my merry way....
Then I was at a friends house helping her out and a lady knocked on her door. I was in another room but I could hear the lady Linda tell my friend about her friend that lost their house in a fire and they have a 3 month old baby and they lost everything. My friend looked and got a few things and gave them to the lady for the family.. I walked out of the room and realized that Linda is my old neighbor but she was already out the door. So i went to a store for some little stocking stuffer things for my kids and I felt God's nudge. Now first off I am a single mom of three kids and I have mastered stretching dimes into dollars. So my own Christmas spending is very small this year. Still hoping I can find it to make it happen. So I feel the nudge right their in the store. I get a few baby items and I walk to the gift bags and there is this beautiful gift bag with Mary and baby Jesus on it. It had a beautiful saying on the tag. So I leave the store and put the items in the bag. I drove to my old neighbors house and I hung it on the door. I wrote on the tag Merry Christmas and God Bless. I felt the nudge and I just went with it.
After I did it I felt so good. I was stressing all week about my own Christmas and gifts for my kids but today I was more focused on this family that lost everything they had in a fire. I am so THANKFUL for the things I do have. I have 3 healthy kids, a home for them and the things they need.
Have a WONDERFUL day... Thank you for reading my GIFT for the day.
Katie
@FRC
2008-12-06 20:17:54
12 $5 McDonal gift cards
E, 34, Hialeah, FL, US
We went to McDonald's for breakfast today, purchased 12 $5 gift cards. 11 for our other neighbors in our 12 unit building and one that we left for the next person to buy breakfast. The kids will go around the building later today sliding the gift card with the TGR card under our neighbors' door. Keep it going!!!
E
2008-12-06 18:35:21
There are Still Caring People
Sydney, 17, orlando, US
My mom, my friend Shelby, my friend Ali, and Myself were going to get some milk shakes. When we pulled up to the cash window, the lady said that it was already paid for. "Already paid for" what did she mean? She said that the lady in front of us, said to use the money she gave her to pay for ours. The cashier said that she didn't think that she knew us. She just told her to give us this card. On the card,it said, "...25 days to inspire the world. Follow the journey share your story" So, I went on this website, hoping to see if it was that lady's website, but no. She was just someone nice and kindhearted. That made me know, there are still caring people in this world.
2008-12-06 17:22:12
Thanksgiving Dinner for 20
Tony Kluz, 51, Pembroke Pines, US
I gave $300 to Annette so she could provide a Thanksgiving Dinner for her friends and family when she had no money to spare... I was out of town on business and sent a surprise check to her so she and JB could host the dinner! She called and thanked me like 5 times in the same voicemail! :)
2008-12-06 17:20:59
my revolution
marisa gregory, 15, north myrtle beach, US
well, i was shopping at target for a new thing of lipgloss,, and i reached in my purse to see wat lip gloss it was that i needed and i saw my revolution card,,. so then i bought some tape and went back and taped $3 and the revolution card to a BIG tube of lip gloss. . (:
2008-12-06 16:38:14
parade
tammy, 42, jonesboro, US
I took my elderly mother and 4 year old niece to the christmas parade. We were having a alot of fun but freezing...a stranger came up with a tray of cups of hot choclate for "free". And also gave me the card. It was really nice. a gentleman shortly after offered my mother his lawn chair. there are still great people out there
2008-12-06 16:00:19
Invading Doral Publix
the RUSH Doral, 15, Doral, US
Last night at the RUSH Doral's small group we loaded thirteen students in 3 cars to the local Publix. Each student brought $5 for TGR. We purchased 13 $5 giftcards. Then each student took their card along with TGR card and went up to random customers and gifted them.
Some people rejected the free gift, but the students were able to persuade them that this wasn't a gimmick or a ploy. One man came up to us at the end and asked why we were doing this. I told him about the Gift Revolution and invited him to check out FRC Doral at Ronald Reagan HS. He told us he would come check us out on Sunday.Our students were so excited about what they had done. What an awesome lesson on giving!!
2008-12-06 15:53:58
Workin @ the Car Wash.
Lynn, 53, Cooper City, US
I was on Pine Island Rd approaching Sheridan St when I see a group of school girls aged between 7-10 holding up car wash signs...{along with the dad that got picked to stand there & help out} I start to go through the light when it hits me..Do a U turn, go back, give them a $10 bill paper clipped to a couple of Gift Revolution cards..I pull up to the girls..Tell them I don't have time to have the car washed but here's a donation for their cause and I tell them {and the dad} to check out the gift revolution website..Dad and the girls were very thankful..Go Revolution!!!!
2008-12-06 15:46:31
The Gift Revolution at Hardees
Brett Holmes, 14, Lynchburg, VA, US
I was visiting my grandparents for Thanksgiving in Lynchburg Virginia, and I went into a Hardees restaurant to give the next customer in line $5 towards their meal and a card to tell them about TheGiftRevolution.com
2008-12-06 14:18:28
Recycle guys
Amanda, 5, Davie, US
Every Saturday morning I like to play outside with my dad. I love waving and saying "hi" to people, especially the nice guys that pick up the recycling. Today I gave them each $5 with a gift revolution card and told them "Merry Christmas". They were real happy.
2008-12-06 11:26:29
passing the tolls
Rachel, 19, Pembroke Pines, US
Everyday I pass through the tolls. Usually I just drive straight on through the sunpass but today I shaked things up. I went to one of the actual tolls and told the guy I wanted to pay for the next 10 cars and if he could give each of them a card (I gave him a stack of gift revolution cards). He was a little bewildered at first but then he agreed. It wasn't anything large but the feeling inside knowing that someone would be given a gift was great.
2008-12-06 03:51:40
Nice Tip
Chris, 25, North Myrtle Beach, US
So I was eating at a local restaurant here in NMB and every time I have went to this place the same guy always waits on me and has such a great personality and does an excellent job with service. Tonight I prayed that God would use me to plant a seed in this guys life. I got my bill which was around $15.00 and left him with $30 and a card of course. My prayer is that this will be the start of something HUGE in his life and that he will truly know the love of Christ!
2008-12-06 02:34:41
FELT GOD'S LOVE
Ida, 45, Hialeah, US
Yesterday Dec 5th, I was running erons with my eldery parents, it was lunch time, and we were starving, and I've been short of cash, when we drove into the drive-thru of a "Pollo Tropical" I ordered our lunches (praying that I would have enough money to cover for it) when I drove up to the drive-thru window, the lady in the window told me that the car ahead of me had paid for our lunches, I thought that it couldn't be possible, that someone that I've never met could possibly pay for our food!. I felt so good and happy to see that there are still good people with kind hearts left in this world. I consider my self a person with a lot of faith since I've been thru alot of trials in my life, but God has always seen me thru, and have never abandon me and thanks to him my faith have endure all this trials. I really felt that God used this person to carry out his deed, so to the lady that bought me and my folks lunch: THANK YOU SO MUCH, YOU MADE MY DAY A SPECIAL ONE, THAT I'LL NEVER FORGET!, AND MAY HE BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY WITH LOTS OF HEALTH, JOY, AND HAPPINESS ALWAYS. Now I'm going to make it my mission (even though I'm short of funds) to help someone that is in need, and I know God will provide me so that I can help someone else. God can make all things possible, he restored my health thru an organ transplant when I needed the most. Thank you to "The Gift Revolution.com" PASSIT ON!!!!
