spreading the SHINE.

i am beyond excited and honored to be a small part of announcing a new initiative of the shine project.

ashley is the founder of this wonderful cause (and blog).
you can read my post highlighting the shine project here.

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here's a brief description of how the new "pass it forward" initiative will work: 

pass it forward was designed to get people to do little things, everyday, that makes an impact on the community around them. pass it forward is designed around a card:

 each card is given a unique ID number. lets say we're at McDonalds, and I decide to pay for the person behind me in the drive through. I'd give the cashier the card, and tell them to pass it along to the next car when the give them the food that has been paid for. 
i then go home and log into the website that was on the card, and find my unique ID number. i log into it, and add my information... my first name, city, and a description of what I did....

 From the very beginning, you will be able to track where your card goes, and how many people you affect just by doing one simple act of kindness.

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spread the shine is the website where you will be able to read updates from all of the cards that are handed out. this is going to have national impact. how awesome!!

thank you, ashley, for inspiring each one of us to do what we can, with what we have, wherever we are.

to wrap it up, i wanted to share a small act of kindness that happened to me this week:
i went to the grocery store to return our cans and bottes (in michigan, we pay a deposit for cans and bottles that we purchase). after i returned all of them, i made my way into the store.

as i waited in line at the deli a man came up behind me and said,
"ma'am. were you just in the bottle return room?"
"yes," i said. (a little bit scared, by this stranger coming up behind me).
"here you go," he said and handed me the bottle slip i had left in the machine.
"thank you!!!" i said, "wow, thank you so much!"

this complete stranger had noticed that i left my $1.80 deposit slip
 and bothered to take the time to walk through the store trying to find me just to return it.

completely made my day.

 
i should be receiving my pass it on card in the mail this week!
can't wait to share how i spread the SHINE. :)


♥erica