Austin Businesses to ``Pay It Forward'' on Sept. 11.AUSTIN -- Employees from Dell, Liaison Resources, American Bank and the American Cancer Society American Cancer Society, n.pr established in 1913, this national volunteer-based health organization is committed to the elimination of cancer through prevention and treatment and to diminishing cancer suffering through advocacy, scholarship, research, are joining EnviroMedia to put into practice kind acts to strangers on the third anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorists' attacks on the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. . The movement, made famous by the "Pay It Forward" book and movie, encourages people to help out three strangers. EnviroMedia President Kevin Tuerff started the effort two years ago with his employees to express his gratitude towards the people of Canada. Tuerff was stranded for three days in Gander Gander, town (1991 pop. 10,339), NE Newfoundland, N.L., Canada. Gander's airport, an important base in World War II, is a hub for international flights; it also attracts many refugees. It was the site of a Dec. , Newfoundland, when his plane was diverted from New York City New York City: see New York, city. New York City City (pop., 2000: 8,008,278), southeastern New York, at the mouth of the Hudson River. The largest city in the U.S. immediately following the 2001 attacks. "I experienced the amazing a·maze v. a·mazed, a·maz·ing, a·maz·es v.tr. 1. To affect with great wonder; astonish. See Synonyms at surprise. 2. Obsolete To bewilder; perplex. v.intr. generosity from many, many Canadians," said Tuerff. "During this stressful time, a small town of 9,000 residents cared for, housed and fed more than 6,595 stranded airline passengers including my partner and me. I'll never forget their kindness, and I wanted to do something to continue that spirit of generosity." For the past two years, EnviroMedia staffers have participated in "Pay It Forward 9/11," engaging in random and often anonymous acts of kindness around Austin. Teams of two employees were given $100 and invited to go out in the community to "pay it forward." Employees came up with their own unique ideas: --Purchasing $100 savings bond Savings bond A government bond issued in face value denominations from $50 to $10,000, with local and state tax-free interest and semiannually adjusted interest rates. savings bond A nonmarketable security issued by the U.S. for a single mother's 9/11 newborn --Picking up the breakfast tab for everyone in a restaurant --Purchasing gardening tools for an environmental science class --Buying new magazines for a hospice waiting room EnviroMedia employees will participate again this year on Friday, Sept. 10. The company also set up a Web-based blog/message board at http://payitforward.blogs.com where individuals can share how they're participating. Liaison Resources, an Austin ad agency with 90 employees, will also participate by having employees meet at Saltillo Plaza where they will divide into small teams and receive a $100 to spend in two hours. About 20 Dell employees plan to participate on Friday, Sept. 10, by picking up trash in a high litter area just east of IH-35 near downtown Austin. The company and an anonymous donor anticipate making a donation to Keep Austin Beautiful. Tuerff-Davis EnviroMedia Inc. is the nation's only full-service public relations public relations, activities and policies used to create public interest in a person, idea, product, institution, or business establishment. By its nature, public relations is devoted to serving particular interests by presenting them to the public in the most and advertising agency dedicated solely to improving public health and the environment. www.enviromedia.com |
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