When Paying-It-Forward Pays Off
No Wish Too Large, No Hero Too Small
In the past few years several organizations have sprung up that involve the concept of "paying-it-forward" - thanking those who have helped you by helping someone else in return. These organizations are remarkable because they are a purely grassroots phenomenon based on the concept of practicing random acts of kindness. Some are incorporated as 501c3 non-profits, while others are simply the voluntary efforts of an individual who had a good idea.
One such individual is Dave Girgenti who founded Wish Upon A Hero. Fondly known by its members as WUAH, the Wish Upon A Hero website was launched in September 2007 as a way to help people connect with and help others. It has rapidly grown into a virtual community of over 12,000 members. Registration is free and any member may make or grant a wish. Those who grant wishes are called heroes, and the motto of the group is "No wish too large and no hero too small."
Some of the wishes are as simple as a request for a prayer or for information on a particular subject. Others may be as large as wishing for a family vacation or a miracle cure to a medical problem. The beauty of the website is that complete strangers meet the needs of those who have a lack by providing whatever it is they have in excess. In a modern twist on socialism - as it is self-imposed, rather than state-imposed - the wealth is spread around for the benefit of all.
However, WUAH isn't just about material things. It is at once a virtual clearinghouse of hopes and dreams and an on-line support group.
"Wish Ambassadors" work as volunteers to encourage new posters and actively help them to get their wishes granted. "Angel Forums" have sprung up around the theme of granting specific types of wishes, for example, for clothing, baby items, food, and holiday wishes. Members have organized on-line auctions to take donations and turn them into cash for other members. There is even a newly created feature called "Card Hero" for those who specialize in granting the wishes of members who would like for cards to be delivered to loved ones in the hospital or on special occasions.
The exponential growth of this endeavor, and others like it, gives testimony to the concern that humans have for one another, the planet, and the future of mankind. The miracle of the internet has made it possible for perfect strangers to connect in a way that would have seemed like science fiction just twenty years ago. This combination of modern technology and people with heart is an unbeatable formula for a hopeful future.
If the news just gets you down, and the state of the world seems to be on a downhill slide, check out Wish Upon a Hero and see how others are paying-it-forward. If that doesn't give your spirits a lift, then grant a wish and feel yourself fly.
Published by Theresa
I have lived in 8 countries on 4 different continents. I am happily married with 3 great children and a marvelous dog. I am working for a paradigm shift in the universe. View profile
- Grant Writer: A Challenging CareerFor many professional writers, finding consistent and regular employment can be challenging. This is an overview of a writing professional known as a Grant Writer
Guitar Hero II ReviewGuitar Hero II jams into the player's heart one fret at a time, and although the difficulty is ramped way up in some songs this time around, it's still one heck of an enjoyable,...- Make-A-Wish Foundation Turns Down Nearly Nude College Students' DonationDonations from nearly nude college students at Skidmore College in Saratoga, NY and bikini-clad women in Washington are turned down by the Make-A-Wish Foundation. A NY chapter responds to the publicity.
Why Make-A-Wish Foundation Deserves Your Charitable DonationsThe Make-A-Wish Foundation is truly a stellar charitable foundation, deserving of your consideration as you make your New Year's resolutions and choices for charitable contribut...- One WishIf you could have only one wish, what would it be?
- Do You Have a Special Wish? Let Wish Upon a Hero Make it Come True for You
- Avoid Scammers on Wish Upon a Hero
- Wish Upon a Hero: Donate Charity to Those Directly in Need
- Wish Upon a Hero Site Review
- Wish Upon a Hero
- A Spell for the Granting of a Wish
- How to Get a Business Grant
- Wish Upon A Hero is a website that allows people to help each other.
- No Wish is Too Large and No Hero is Too Small.
- How the internet is a catalyst for positive change in the world.
17 Comments
Post a CommentChigui27 was singled out only cause of the amount of wishes she made. There are plenty more members taking advantage of WUAH that are not called out and they got much more than Isabel. Freshstart4meLD,Angie911 and many others. Why pick on Isabel only? Ladydiamond was a scammer from day one and her false offers but let's be fair and call all of them out so others can have a chance at haveing their wishes granted too!!!
Now that the site had been ridded of them two maye there should be some rules like help for one bill every 6 months or lifetime wish limit. Every angecy has some caps in place. Paying bills every month as nice as it may be, is doing nothing to help, it is enableing the wisher to not help themselves and depend on WUAH and others to pay their way in life keeps them irresponsible.
yawwwl did you vote yet? vote for me, vote for dave and i'll have muh friends go grant your wish at wish upon a hero. i yam a CEO and OWNER and i gots many followers. be blessed.
Will be able to catch all the SSI scammers now and those on Foodstamps ith this new check feature. Looks like Heaven and her snitching crusade it out of business. Maybe Brenda can stick to computer sales now and PBurkham can commence insulting special needs children. Carry on with your scamming as usual faithful profitteers of WUAH
I saw that where they are taking 5 to 10% of donations and then sending a check to the wisher on certain wishes using the donation feature. Sure is funny that a site which boast of helping those in need suddenly needs to get a cut of those donations. Well at least there will be some records kept now, but most likely just to cover wuah liability. Scammers beware, now they have your personal information, and a copy of the check. Looks like those who have been living off of wuah with these 100+ wishes granted, and those who are there every 30 days with a new bill to be paid may have to find a job.
A lavish lifestyle for someone who has no idea what it is like to be hungry or worry about how you are going to diaper your baby? Now WUAH is taking a percentage of donations!!! It pays off alright, for a greedy liar!!! and those who are stuffing their own wallets.
Would be for Heaven and her crew to try and undo all the damage they have done to innocent people. I am so glad Happymom saved all Heaven's damaging messages because she was warned of how Heaven operates and that soon if she continued to comeserate and conspire with Rosann it would be back to bite her in the butt!! Brenda you were warned by a few who were screwed by Heaven. Sorry that your having to suffer the consequenses of someone you cared so much about. Join the club!!! You Brenda, went to bad for someone who was up to pure evil and hurt many. You are forgiven but many are owed an apology for your part in the mess. Heaven is hopeless, she has no conscience, God will deal with her in His time.
I have been reading other articles about this WUAH and it appears to like Cyberbeggars Gone Wild!!! Looks like the crap has hit the fan and the volcano of lies and deception has errupted with those in higher up positions blowing the whistle on each other. Makes me wonder how many little needy people had to be squashed and persecuted before they were proven right!! Ellen and Oprah I hope you are reading!!!!
I have nothing to hide my name here is my yahoo email name. Just be careful is all because paypal IS considered a BANK ACCOUNT by SS standards and all income must be reported, donations or otherwise.
The sad reality is those so called "donations" are considered INCOME and can very well jeapordize any pubilc assitance one may recieve.(SSI,TANF,ect) When Dave was contacted he replied it was a "personal problem"
I have no idea who the previous people are by I can only speak of my own experience. Yes the WUAH was a great MARKETING but not so much now