The Pay It Forward Project.....Get on the Bandwagon

As we all know in Minneapolis, the Dome has fallen, the MLK Park Tennis Dome has also collapsed. Over 18 inches of snow has fallen. Combined with drifting, snow is as high as three feet in areas. Ugh.

However, this snowfall gives us an opportunity to do good deeds for others this holiday season and I am putting forth the 'Pay It Forward' project and challenge readers of this to join the "project" this holiday season (only 10 days left!).

Here is where it all started. Last night, as I was making some curried Tilapia, taters, and sugar snap peas the phone rang. The fetching Mrs. Jecha was on the line - her Honda Odyssey had gone through a three foot drift at the intersection down the block and was stuck.

My son and his friend Andy began the rescue mission. I turned the burner off and pulled on the jacket to wander down the block in near sub-zero temps. Mrs. Jecha was excused to head back to the warm house and the three of us began digging out snow from under the carraige. After several attempts of wheel spins that did not succeed. A couple of people came out from their home (yes....they threw jackets on and ventured out into the cold to help a stranger). Two pushes and we were free. The strangers and Andy were thanked and they were on their way.

Today, I paid it forward. I wandered over to a (real estate) client's home to shovel out their sidewalk as they have relocated to the south. A 70 year old plus guy next door wandered out....his driveway had been nicely cleared, until the plows came by and dumped a three foot wall of iced, salty, mushy snow that had frozen into a block. Backbreaking for a scrappy 47 yr old like myself....devestating for an elderly gentleman. He offered to pay me to remove it and I refused...forty five minutes to an hour later...the ice had been chipped away and he could again move in and out of his driveway again. My deed had been done and I wished him a Merry Christmas. I chatted with a guy down the road who was working a snowblower and plow and asked him what his going rate was for his two person crew.....right now demand is so high it is $195.00 per hour. Wow...I got cheated!

Got me to reflect on one of my neighbors stopping by and shoveling the huge clumps of snow the plow left in front of my house where my sidewalk meets the street. Thanks neighbor...I paid your favor forward also.

For the next week, I will carry a shovel in my car and will assist - time allowing - anyone that is trying to shovel out - especially the elderly. Wish 'em a Merry Christmas and ask them to 'pay it forward' to another stranger, or friend.

I reflect back to my trip to Sweden last October and the Swedish hockey and bandy families that took time to make the trip special for our kids. Need to pay that forward one day.

Its out there....and we need more of it.

You have 10 days.....join the 'Pay It Forward' project. You don't have to shovel....there are many things you can do....just look for the opportunity. Make the world a better place....or at least the Twin Cities a better place!

Please email this to friends, post to your facebook, and let me know in the comments how you have joined the 'project'.  Merry Christmas.