Today is International Pay It Forward Day—a movement to unite people across the world who are all standing together for kindness.
The work carried out by the InfoTrust Foundation is deeply rooted in the notion of paying it forward—giving to grow and help those closest to us: our communities. As part of that commitment, we also get to partner with people who #payitforward everyday through their own personal acts of kindness. Here are stories from a few InfoTrusters about how they’re continuing the work not only for the InfoTrust Foundation, but also for the organizations they are serving.
Lead Tag Governance Specialist James Bryan Gonzales founded Ipon Tayo with a sincere desire to share his passion for personal finance with others. Each year, James helps manage a group of Ipon Tayo volunteers who assist with the InfoTrust Foundation’s Basket Brigade and other projects in the Philippines. In addition to the InfoTrust Foundation’s efforts, Ipon Tayo has aided in food drives and relief needs. Giving back to the community has always been important to Gonzales, as it is a personal core value to him and a lesson he grew up learning. “I truly believe that sharing your blessing is something that each one of us should do on a regular basis,” he says. “Having the ability to see happiness in people’s eyes is something that will truly change how you see the world.”
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r Digital Analytics Consultant Kim Mascarenhas, paying it forward is about offering her abilities and assistance to those who have no accessible resources, guidance, or direction. “Each of us are where we are today only because of someone else who helped us along the way,” she says. “You don’t need a lot of free time, a special skill set, or a specific cause behind it—you just need the heart to make a difference.” Mascarenhas volunteers on a consistent basis with a local, not-for-profit religious organization based in Dubai. Its goal is to build a community of people who will carry a strong presence of love in the world by living their purpose, connecting with others, and giving back to those less fortunate. Thanks to Mascarenhas’ background in analytics, she helps the organization’s marketing team reassess their analytics architecture, rebuild their data dashboards, and then use the new data points gathered to optimize their Google Ads investments and increase community growth. “The UAE (Dubai in particular) is a very transitory city for expats, and many newcomers feel isolated and alone. I’ve seen this community make a difference every day in the lives of these people by welcoming and embedding them in it, giving them a purpose and then providing them the resources to give back as well,” she said.
Going out of your way to make a difference without expecting anything in return—that’s what paying it forward means to Digital Analytics Associate Ramona Peckham. As someone who has always been interested in partnering with organizations that help children, she is a regular volunteer with St. Joseph’s Orphanage. The comprehensive behavioral and educational treatment agency primarily caters to troubled youths and families. Peckham’s responsibilities include raising awareness of St. Joseph’s Orphanage by hosting annual fundraising events, social media campaigns, actively seeking donors or sponsors, and volunteering at the youth center. She says she has been most impressed with the education program and how it equips youths to build life skills.
For Discovery Advanced Analyst Shasnika DeMel, being able to contribute to the welfare of the women and children at the SURASA Moratuwa shelter in her hometown of Sri Lanka each year is a way for her to give back to her community. “I’m grateful for how my life has turned out and I want to repay that gratitude in small part by volunteering for this charity,” she says. The Moratuwa shelter provides shelter, care, education, and training for nearly 40 poor, destitute, abandoned women and children deprived of the very basics of life. Supplies are provided to each individual staying at the shelter to ensure proper hygiene and care so the shelter remains clean and germ-free. This is important in the prevention of diseases and lowering the cost of medical supplies for the women, children, and the staff. Thanks to generous donations from InfoTrust Foundation, the shelter received adequate supplies in 2017 and 2018, with the hopes of assisting again in the future. “Paying it forward comes from a place of gratitude,” DeMel says. “It’s about being grateful for the people and things I have in my life and having the desire to do something good for other people in return. I truly believe that I could not be who I am or where I am in life without the contributions of others. Many family members, friends, strangers, and all those who have come before me have made my life easier, more comfortable, and enriching. Therefore, I want to pay it forward where possible either through random acts of kindness and by supporting the less fortunate.”
Want to celebrate Pay It Forward Day yourself? Now’s your chance. Consider making a donation to InfoTrust Foundation or partnering with us. The work is great and the laborers are few—so we’re doing our part. We’d love to have you, too.
