At my weekly Mens Group meeting this morning (we've been meeting for ~10 years), one of the guys passed out an envelope to each of the other 10 men. There was a $50 bill in each envelop....not a lot of $$ but not chicken feed either.

"Jack" asked each of us to use this 'found money' however we wished: keep it, give it to someone less fortunate ($50, 5 ten spots, whatever), buy a 'toy for tot', etc.

It turns out that Jack had read about this idea: extend a kindness to someone (often a stranger) and ask them to 'pass it on' in some fashion....suggesting that the recipient do the same There was not a lot of discussion about this....just that Jack asked everyone to come back next Saturday and report on what they had decided to DO with the 'found' money.

I went home and Googled 'Pay It Forward' and found that there is an entire movement around this concept....initiated in a book in 2000. In fact, there is apparently a reference to it in the book: The Tipping Point. Imagine my surprise when I discovered that there's a non-profit right here in Philly that is boosting this idea.

What would YOU do with this $50 of found money Serious replies are most appreciated, but self-indulgent ones are OK too.

 

How much does a hooker go for nowadays?

 

LOL

 

Since it was given to pass on I'd just put it in Salvation Army kettle.

 

I'd probably give it to the coalition for the homeless here in Rosslyn, to do with as they see fit. I give to other charities, but haven't done anything for this one yet. I see several homeless people on my way to and from the subway each day. They each have their spots staked out.

EDIT: I took out part of my original answer, since I was passing judgment on the idea and decided that wasn't appropriate in this thread.

 

I like to donate to the shelter sponsored and run by the Salvation Army.

 

I would buy blankets and pass them out to homeless people in the City.

 

I don't think I like this whole thing. What I do, or anyone does with money is a very personal thing. If I want to give or not give to charity, I'll use my own money and the only person, aside from myself that I care to answer to is my wife.

I think I'd give him back the money with a note telling him to spend it anyway he pleases and to leave me out of this.

This whole concept seems a bit like reality TV.

 

I wouldn't want to be someone's humanity experiment. I really don't care what they call it. Now, if that person simply gave everyone $50.00 and said to spend it anyway you like, that would have been different. It sounds a lot like what Winfrey did couple of months ago.

 

^ Well, since you have reinforced my ealier comment which I edited out, I will say that I am not at all comfortable with the concept. I think it's presumptuous to assume anyone wants to participate. I might have given the money back myself.