Random acts of kindness Random acts of kindness (December 01, 2004)

Students launch program of giving based on movie and book 'Pay it Forward'

by Alexandria Rocha

Pay another driver's bridge toll. Mow a neighbor's lawn as you finish up your own. Tell someone, anyone, to keep the change.

They are random acts of kindness, and a group of high school students is on a mission to prove today's busy people are still capable of simple favors.

In just a few months, the 15 students who make up the Palo Alto Youth Council -- representing Gunn, Paly and Castelleja high schools -- will launch a kindness campaign under the premise of the book and movie, "Pay it Forward."

"We're going to go out to different groups of people in Palo Alto and do a favor for them and hopefully start a chain reaction, like the domino effect," said Austinn Freeman, 17, a Paly junior.

The students plan to separate into three groups of five to visit senior citizens' homes and elementary and middle schools Feb. 14, a day already known for its commitment to affection. Since there are a few months left to plan, they hope to garner the help of the local Youth Community Services and the YMCA. Although the students haven't chosen a specific site, their preliminary plan is to have younger kids make Valentine's Day cards for senior citizens and then teach their elders a thing or two about the Internet.

"Our goal is to just get as many favors done as possible," Freeman said.

When the book, written by Catherine Ryan Hyde, and the movie debuted simultaneously in 2000, an international social movement quickly surfaced. School kids everywhere - from California to New York to Canada and Australia - adopted the concept that one person's favor can spark a chain reaction of favors.

"It's suppose to promulgate through the community," said Hillary Freeman, a City Council member and Austinn's mom. "There is a formula."

As "Trevor," the 12-year-old protagonist of "Pay it Forward" explained it: "You see, I do something real good for three people. And then when they ask how they can pay it back, I say they have to pay it forward. To three more people. Each. So nine people get helped."

Under Trevor's plan, nearly 5 million people could receive a favor in just two weeks.

Because the fictional book's concept seemed so plausible, students looking for volunteer work and those wanting to change the world started their own Pay it Forward (PIF) projects.

To date, the PIF Foundation -- which also took shape in 2000 -- has provided grants or materials to more than 300 schools worldwide. The projects have dealt with a wide range of issues, such as homelessness, pollution, violence and literacy.

The students haven't contacted the PIF Foundation as of yet, but Austinn Freeman said it's a possibility.

Members of the Palo Alto Youth Council make a point to take on two community projects a year. This year, they designed and implemented stress reduction and nutritional workshops, making informational pamphlets for parents and teens.

Freeman said the idea to jump on the PIF movement was a collaborative effort among all the members.

"Whether it's picking up someone's wallet, or shopping for someone, it's always nice to get more community involvement and people being especially nice to one another," the Paly senior said. "It would be really awesome if it spread throughout the community."

The students are not sure how they will track the favor chain, but they may invite those who "paid it forward" to a party soon after the Valentine's Day launch.

For more information on the Pay it Forward project or the Youth Council, call City of Palo Alto Recreation Supervisor Patrick Larkin at 463-4927.

Staff writer Alexandria Rocha can be reached at arocha@paweekly.com.

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