Pay it Forward Day is an international initiative that embodies the power of giving. Always occurring on the last Thursday in April, Pay it Forward Day encourages people from around the world to intentionally step out of their comfort zone to do a good deed for someone else without expecting anything in return. The concept of Pay it Forward is that the recipient of the altruistic good deed will then be asked to continue the chain of kindness by doing something nice for someone else.

Below are examples of what college, university, or high school students could do for Pay it Forward Day.

In the past, members of the UNLV community have participated in the following Pay it Forward Day activities:

  • Obtained a Pay it Forward Day proclamation from the Governor of Nevada and the mayors of Las Vegas and Henderson
  • Candy for Classrooms – Placed 500 bags of candy in various classrooms for unsuspecting students and teachers to find and enjoy
  • Coffee and Cocoa for Commuters – Handed out coffee, hot chocolate, water, bagels and doughnuts to 650 commuter students by the Student Recreation & Wellness Center
  • Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth – Cleaned and painted an emergency shelter to be used for homeless youth and provided them with hygiene products
  • Free Hugs Campaign – Gave out “Free Hugs” in the spirit of good will in front of the Golden Gate Hotel & Casino (2009 & 2010) and in front of the Bellagio fountains (2011 & 2012)
  • Flower & Cookie Giving – Walked around campus and gave flowers and homemade cookies to unsuspecting faculty and staff members
  • Tree Planting – In 2011, 120 UNLV volunteers planted trees by Pioneer Wall to help UNLV become the first Tree Campus USA in Nevada
  • Party in the Pida (Pida Plaza): Painted wooden toy cars to be distributed to kids at a local elementary school. The children were asked in turn to Pay it Forward.  Free food and music was included in the event.
  • Conducted a good deed and then handed a Pay it Forward Day card to the recipient of the good deeds that explains the altruistic movement.


EXAMPLE SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES FOR PAY IT FORWARD DAY
University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) – Thursday, April 29, 2010

4:30am-9:00am
Pay it Forward Good Deeds with Fox 5 News at UNLV
Outside the Tropicana parking garage at the bus loop next to the SRWC entrance
Spoke during the 5am, 6am, 7am & 8am news reports to demonstrate different types of Pay it Forward activities that viewers can do.

8:00am-10:00am
FREE Coffee & Cocoa for Commuters Distribution
@ UNLV Tropicana Parking Garage & Cottage Grove Parking Garage
Gave out hot chocolate, coffee, and water to students, faculty, and staff as they enter campus in the morning.

11:00am-1:00pm
Free Hugs Campaign on campus
Held signs that said, “Free Hugs,” and offered free hugs to people to make them smile.

6:30pm-9:00pm
Free Hugs Campaign
@ Fremont Street Experience & The Strip
Held signs that said, “Free Hugs,” and offered free hugs to people to make them smile.