OPRAH Pay It Forward Challenge Idea/Suggestion/Plan?

Question

I have decided to take Oprah up on her challenge of paying it forward. When I was thinking about what to do, a few things seemed important: involving children, sending the money different directions, and giving the money a chance to multiply.

Here is my rough plan, and your suggestions are welcome.

I want to go into a local elementary school classroom with ONE dollar per student, so my investment would be about 30 bucks.

I want to pass out the money after explaining that:

The child can either KEEP the money OR
ADD a dollar to it and give it to someone who needs it OR
ADD a dollar to it and give it to someone who does NOT need it...encouraging THEM to ADD a dollar to it and pass the money...and so on.

What do you think? Personally, I think the LESSON given to and the DECISION made by each child would be more powerful than any dollar amount multiplied, plus if they talked to their parents about it, perhaps there would be an upward spiral of do-gooding.

I guess I should emphasize my questions here:

What do you think, ways to improve the idea?

Any economics whizzes care to predict how much money would be raised?

Answer 1

As lovely as I think this theory is, I doubt the generosity of children. Doing this requires immense trust and you must be prepared that it might not work out as planned. However, I also cannot think of any people that are more honest than children, and if you introduce them to this goodness now there is a larger chance that it will work, as opposed to adults simply pocketing the money. Giving them the decision also allows for them to think of themselves instead of being forced to do good, which is hardly doing good at all! In a nutshell, all I'm saying is be prepared for this to not work as well as you hope. But I say, give it a try! If everyone just sat there calculating the risks instead of going out and DOING the deed, then nothing much would be done at all. Good luck!

Answer 2

I like charity giving but I have issues with the terminology being used. It's not paying because it is not something you owe, and using that word is an attempt to make people feel guilty about having what they earned. Give it, don't pay it...

Answer 3

A dollar doesn't buy much. But worth a try. too bad most kids don't work or have allowances anymore.

Answer 4

I think that sounds awesome,really. Very good idea. Did you submit that as an answer to her question?

Answer 5

Kudos to people like you. You are an inspiration to all of us...Thank you...