Finley Pays it Forward
Before students headed for the exits to begin their summer vacation activities, J. Taylor Finley Middle School celebrated Pay if Forward Day. It was an informative, educational and eye-opening experience that appears to have set the stage for many positive future developments in the district and community.
The Finley PTA sponsored an appearance by Project Excel’s Ryan Boccard, who delivered a powerful lunchroom message about doing the “right thing” without expecting anything in return. Why not perform a good deed just for the sake of it and not for any reward that might come your way later on?
The Pay if Forward Foundation encourages young people to “start a revolution” and take the initiative. “The premise of Pay It Forward is one that any person can implement in his or her own life, at any time,” according to the Foundation’s website. “It begins with doing a favor for another person, without any expectation of being paid back. Indeed one would request that the recipient of that favor do the same for someone else: ideally for three other people. The unconditional favors can be large or small.”
“It was well received by students,” Christina Plant, a Finley PTA volunteer who helped coordinate the event, said about Mr. Boccard’s message. The PTA distributed Pay it Forward bracelets and certificates and held raffles during each lunch period. Gift certificates to Lacrosse Unlimited, Burger King, Blossom, Ben and Jerry’s, Starbucks, iTunes, 7-11 and other establishments were distributed.
Mrs. Plant said that in keeping with the theme of the day, gift certificate recipients were encouraged to take someone with them to share a good time. In addition to Mrs. Plant, Finley PTA members Pam Reilly, Liz Fiordelisi, Karen Dwyer and Nancy Shivers also pitched in to make the initiative a successful one.
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