Have You Been Inspired to 'Play It Forward'?
Ellen's friend, Hollywood director Tom Shadyac, has inspired people around the world to lead simpler lives, and now he's teaching people that giving back can actually make you happier! If you were inspired to "play it forward" after seeing Tom on our show, we want to hear about it! Tell us what Tom or Ellen's message of generosity has meant to you, and how it's effected change in your life. Share your story here!
Filed Under: Be on the Show, Tom Shadyac
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i would like to wish everone the best of luck that wants to go on a trip. i think what ellen is doing is helping people in need and that is what we need more of in this world .best of luck to ever one
Ellen I have always been a proponent of Paying it Forward. I am a single Mom with two kids but I am a firm believer to lead by example. I have two kids 27 and 30 and I have always tried to set a good example. I am not rich by any means like every hard working person I am in debt. Recently, I was at Trader Joe's and this young girl had a mask on her face holding so many groceries. She was probably around 12 with an autoimmune disease. I saw her and told the cashier please ring this quickly...I went over and gave it to that little girl was and her smile was worth a million buck...I will never forget her smile. I have done it many times before and at work I have Christine's 10 rules and one of them is pay it forward. I want the students that work for us to have it in their heart. They take it seriously so it is testimony that in some small way we can spread the word. It is not all about you or me. We need to help others:) It gives me such joy and the best reward is it makes me feel good about myself.
God Bless Ellen....Love all you do
if it was,nt for my friend patty i think id be out of my head,if it was,nt for her. she is what you call a true friend. she has physical problems like myself, and she is selfless and would do anything for me. i thank god for her.
After watching your show Ellen, it has inspired me to help more than before. This past Christmas I saw the court house's cleaning woman sitting in our lunch room reading a do***ent. I asked if she was studying and she stated she was looking for a place to apply for free gifts since she couldn't afford them this year. I asked for the age of her grandchildren and told her not to worry. My wife went and got a couple toys, books and clothes that my son had never worn with the tags on them still. We also sponsored another family for Christmas and bought gifts for a child through the Salvation Army. Instead of spending $20 or $50 on something unnecessary, I told my wife we need to start giving instead. It feel great and I haven't stopped.
My son (a college student) got inspired to go above and beyond when he heard his apartment management company was doing a food drive for a local Food Pantry right before Christmas. He heard that the Pantry services 3 towns in his area and they usually have 3 months of food on hand but were now down to 3 weeks. Rather than just throwing a few cans in the collection box, he was motivated to have a bigger inpact. He started calling all his family and friends for money donations so he could buy food. He also asked me if I would be giving him his usual Christmas money gift because he wanted to include that in the food donation. Wow, I was so impressed. After 3 days he managed to raised $850.00. He sent an email out to everyone, which said: "Hello, I just wanted to send an email personally thanking everyone for their generosity. After 3 days of collecting we raised 850 dollars!! This allowed me to purchase 715 food items at various stores. Everything totaled a jaw-dropping 764 pounds of food (discluding packaging) and 878,000 calories. This food will go to HVCC food pantry where it is urgently needed. Purchases include, peanut butter, pasta, tuna fish, canned hams, sweet potatoes, pears, peaches, fruit ****tail, pineapples slices, juice, pancake mix, cereal, rice and much more! While the problems we face in the 21st century may feel daunting if we band together we can make big things happen. As cliche as that sounds this eye-opening experience makes me whole-heartedly believe it. Please take a look at the photos that I attached. Good job everyone!
-Mike" (I wish I could include a picture here of the mountain of food he bought!)
If one college student can do this, imagine what we all can do if we took a little time and effort!! Signed "A proud mama"
Ellen you are a wonderful person.We are having such a hard time this year and when i stop and sit down to watch you,it seems that everything bad in the world goes away. Thank you Ellen and her amazing staff.I do honestly love what you do for the world.
The 500 children of Sandy Hook Elementary displaced by the shooting will be beginning school at a new location on 12/19/2012 and their teachers need our help.
PLEASE DONATE:
Crayons
Lined paper
Teachers supplies
Markers
Scissors
Erasers
Glue sticks and pencils
We will be collecting school supplies on Wed., 12/19 at the Brass Hill Center in Waterbury from 3 to 8pm. (Lower level on the Sears Court)
Please Help if you can.
God Bless all of you
Hi,I belive that everyone,espescially kids in school,should see the movie"pay it forward".I too,wish that I had a few gifts on Christmas,but,I know we can'fford it.we live in the country and both have medical issues.We need cell phone,but cannot afford it,a new tv,ours is 16yrs old,hugr.we have no "I" anything.Iam on dial up,cannot afford sattelite internet.But we have a home and each other,and you.Thankfully we can get your show 2-3 times a day,which allows me to just get through the day.We pay it forward,is how we live.we share,care,help,whenever possible.do snow for our elderly neighbours,whatever.Inthe end,MY heart feels good and I smile.....
I have had people help me out not knowing who they were, so any chance I get I try to do the same. I don't have a lot of extra money, but when I able to give I do. The one thing is I don't think this is something that should be shared with others that don't know me. I do this out of the goodness of my heart and don't care if I am recognized.
Thank you
Dixie
O.K. FANS LETS MAKE TOM SHADYAC PROUD AND LET HIM KNOW JUST HOW MUCH HE INSPIRED US BY STARTING THE ELLEN DEGENERES APPRECIATION PAY IT FORWARD FOUNDATION. WE ALL NEED TO WORK TOGETHER SO LET'S ALL PUT OUR HEADS TOGETHER AND START SPREADING THE WORD. I WILL BE THE GO TO PERSON SO PLEASE CONTACT ME WITH ANY AND ALL IDEA'S. HOPEFULLY WE'LL GET HELP FROM ALL OF ELLEN'S STAFF. TOM SHADYAC HIMSELF, THE STARS SHE HAS ON HER SHOW TIME AFTER TIME. WHETHER IT BE A DONATION OR AN IDEA! YOU CAN CONTACT ME @ SHARI LOTFY 508-779-0022. MY FACEBOOK/SHARILOTFY OR EMAIL ME AT SLSALESFORCE1@GMAIL.COM FOR NOW I WILL MAKE UP AN EMAIL ACCOUNT JUST FOR THE FOUNDATION. PLEASE CONTACT ME WITH ANY KIND OF NAMES IF YOU THINK IT WOULD SOUND BETTER THAN WHAT I HAVE. THANK YOU AND HAVE A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS
This story was probably the most inspiring story I have ever watched. Although there have been many this man and the story just was incredible!
I believe that a person should always give more then they take it doesn't always have to be money, people can find all sorts of ways to give..time is a great gift to give someone to:)
Not really sure if im in the right place...how does one enter to win...is it just once...do I have to enter everyday?...Do i have to write a comment under the day of giveaway page? Can someone let me know..I'm really not good at this...I feel really stupid...
Start working with Google!! I've made $64,000 so far this year working online and I'm a full time student. Im using an online business opportunity I heard about and I've made such great money. It's really user friendly and I'm just so happy that I found out about it. Here is what I do, http://www.Google.fab17.com
I gave my last 12 dollars towards the Sandy relief fund I must say I feel really good!! I already live a very simple life!!
I must say that every time I see one of these stories tears come to my eyes just seeing how happy you've made them. I wish to be able to do the same and I hope that what little I do like, stopping to help senior citizen with their bags, helping them get on the bus, giving people directions to get to times square (I live in NYC.), translating something for a spanish speaker when it looks like they don't understand something being said to them, helping the children at my job with homework and giving them a shoulder to lean on when things get rough makes them feel as happy as you make people feel Ellen. You are nothing short of a blessing and an amazing angel sent from above to help make the world a better place. Keeping doing what you do Ellen because not only do you make the people you are helping happy but also everyone that is also seeing your act of kindness.