Pay It Forward Week encourages chain reaction of good deeds

From April 22-25, the Center for Leadership will sponsor events focused on giving, love and friendship.

The week's activities include writing letters of thanks, giving out treats and a showing of the film "Pay It Forward"
Kindness is contagious, and Pay It Forward Day inspires millions of people from around the world to get bitten by the kindness bug.

The Pay It Forward initiative was founded as a way to remind people of the power of giving and encourage them to make a positive impact on the world. Inspired by a book “Pay It Forward” by Catherine Ryan Hyde, International Pay It Forward Day will be celebrated around the world on April 24 and in our own backyard all week long.

Elon’s Center for Leadership has organized a week full of events from April 22-25 focused on stimulating the chain reaction of good deeds. “Our campus will definitely be affected by Pay It Forward Day,” said Sean Barry, special events coordinator at the Center for Leadership. “Even if we do good deeds all year long, it is important to take one day out of our lives to make a conscious effort.”

Pay It Forward Week events at Elon include letter writing to recognize others for their accomplishments, handing out treats to vital members of the Elon community and being aware of simple acts of kindness. Whether it’s paying for a stranger’s coffee in Irazu or holding the door open for someone else, even the smallest actions can make a difference on someone’s day.

The CFL wants people to be commended for their actions. Share your stories or images on the CFL’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram with the hashtag #PayItForwardElon. For more information about the schedule of events for Pay It Forward Week, visit the Facebook event page.