Pay It Forward with a Free iPad2
Friday, October 7, 2011 at 5:08PM After making a donation to Share Our Strength's No Kid Hungry charity, I was entered in a drawing to win an iPad2 from Cinnabon, Inc. Surprisingly, I was the lucky winner. Now I have the opportunity to pay it forward with your help.
Post a comment below as to who you think deserves this iPad2 and why (less than 500 words please). Comments must be posted by 5:00pm (Eastern) on Monday, October 10th, 2011 to be considered.
Please note that this is not an official sweepstakes and not affliated with my employer. I'm personally selecting one person's recommendation on who should get this iPad2. The person who receives the 3G 32G White Verizon iPad2 will be responsible for all charges to get it set up with Verizon Wireless.
Thanks again to Cinnabon for this fun way to pay it forward.
Jenny DeVaughn
The winner of the iPad2 is Ruthie Powell of The Ruthie List. You may find out about her and all of the ways that she pays it forward here:
Thank you to all who submitted a comment. I wish that I had a few more iPad2's to give one to everyone! My heart goes out to you.
cinnabon, ipad2, nokidhungry, payitforward 
Reader Comments (19)
This would really be great for my wife. She's had some long term medical issues that keep her sidelined for a good portion of the day with feet and legs elevated. The laptop doesn't really cut it in that position and an Ipad would no doubt get a lot of use!
Leo
Leo, thanks for your post and for wanting to pay-it-forward to your wife. If no one else responds tomorrow, the iPad2 is hers!
My dad used to be a computer programmer. I remember being young and going into the basement to see him there, the green glow of the computer screen making him seem almost like a being from another planet. As the years passed, it almost seems like each 1 for me was 2 for him, and now I'm older and he's just....old. Sitting at his computer work station was something he couldn't do for too long because of a surgically repaired back and years of bad posture. He was depressed. Through the years - the computer was probably his best friend and the easiest way for him to connect with his kids.
He called me about 6 months ago to tell me about how he got his first apple product. An iPad. He was excited and had a youthful energy to him that I hadn't seen in years. We skyped. He got to see his grandchild through it. It was an exciting time. However, during this past rainy/hurricane type weather, his house got some damage. Nothing major, a window was smashed in and some water damage. Of course, my dad had a computer station near that window. His desktops and his laptops were all destroyed.
He's replacing his desktops as he needs those for the work that he does. He doesn't have the money for a new iPad. I really want to get him one but I can't afford to buy another and save up for other things in my life (homes, diamond rings, etc etc).
Jenny,
What a great idea! I would like to nominate my friend and colleague, Jason Mollica (@JasMollica). Jason recently was let go from the PR agency he worked at and is attempting to start his own consultant firm. Jason is a great husband, father, and mentor to hundreds of PR Students and continuously helps others without asking for anything in return.
When I was in a crossroads about transferring schools last year, I was very unsure about making a big decision and Jason reached out and helped me ultimately come to a decision and embrace a mindset that has ultimately changed my career.
Jason is consistently transparent, caring, and is a friend to anyone who he communicates with. He does so much for others and this recommendation is the very least I can do for him.
George, thanks for sharing this story about your Dad. My heart goes out to him and you!
Harrison, you are an amazing example of how to pay-it-forward. I appreciate your post about your friend, Jason. Glad that he impacted your career in a positive way!
Hi Jenny,
I would love for my mom to win this Ipad. This past year my family had a tough time with the passing of my aunt, my mom especially. My mom helped care for my aunt after she was diagnosed with leukemia in 2008 and needed a bone marrow transplant. My aunt had to live in a special germ-free environment for three months after getting out of the hospital and my mom would cook and care for her. Recovery was slow and painful, with my aunt's blood type refusing to change to the new type of the donors'. There were many ups and downs and in February 2011, my aunt unfortunately lost her battle at the age of 53. My mom has always been the most nurturing, caring person I have known. She gives so much to others and expects nothing in return. I think this would be a great gift to show her just how much we all love her. Thanks!
Hi Jenny-
I would like to nominate my friend Marie Journey! This isn't a tragedy story it's more about being a super mom! Marie lives in a very very small town called Navarre, Florida. She is amazing mother, friend and extremely creative and innovating! I think Steve Jobs created tools for creative and willing to take risk to make changes! She is also a single mom struggling at times financially but I have never seen her allow herself to let life get her down or even win! She is a fighter and amazing person! Would love to see a single mom get a break and an iPad for a gift would be awesome!
Awesome idea! Being on the west coast not sure if it's too late!
Cheers
Kay Kelison
@Jaxx_Magee
There is one person that I can think of who is so deserving of the iPad that you are so gracious to pay forward to someone else, Jenny. That person is Ruthie Powell. She gives her time, talents and knowledge to others so unselfishly each and every day. Ruthie gives to individuals in job transition and those at a point of need in their job search taking time away from her family to speak to job transition groups, calling and emailing job leads to those looking. She created an email list of HR and Recruiting professionals on her own where her goal is email job leads to those who are looking and share helpful tips and information with those that need it. She does not receive compensation at all for the enormous amount of work that she does and for giving so much of her time at night and on weekends. She tirelessly works to help others in our community and she really deserves to have this iPad. Ruthie is a true gem, she puts others first in all she does and she does not ask for or look for anything in return. She is one of the most giving people that I have ever met in my 11 years in Atlanta. Ruthie is a true servant leader and she gives the highest level of commitment to this cause whether she is employed or not because she is committed to helping others get back to work. She is truly amazing and her work in the community speaks for itself. I am nominating her because she is an amazing person, friend and the definition of a giver! Let me take this opportunity to say "thank you" to Ruthie Powell for all that you do!
Jenny- Your growth and generosity amazes me (as always). I'm not quite sure how you decide this and I praise you for your generosity. I've always had a hard time asking for something from others and am learning each day that true grace is felt by allowing others to shine on you... So here's my predicament....
Amanda and I have three kids 9,8,7 that are starting to use the computer more and more each day. Well... We're operating on a 2002 HP that is on it's last leg and a Dell that just gave us the blue screen of death last week. So...I would love to introduce them to an iPad. But realistically, it's not in the budget. This year has been a year of giving for us and we just don't have the funds for something as nominal as an iPad. Heck, I am still using a 3G iPhone!! Are we in a dire situation? Nope. But we have no margin for electronics, games, iPads, BlueRay, or 3D! Hahaha! We tithe, save, and then live on the rest. "The rest" for us has not included computers or iPads.
So.... Since you asked... The Stanzione family would love and enjoy it if it came our way.
Either way, Amanda and I love how you live your life and God's thumbprint is clearly on you JDV.
-Chris
Okay Crystal, I am not the sweepstakes kinda gal but I thought I would give it a try. I would want an Ipad for my son Calvin. He has special needs and we home school home. He processes things differently than other children and is very visual and hands on. He's quiet brilliant when it comes to computers and is very interested in film. We've been looking at the ipad and am just amazed, he could learn to play instruments, make movies, and visit ancient Rome. We have been embracing technology to help Calvin's development in addition to traditional teaching methods. He is such an amazing boy and has really taught me so much.
Jenny, Dana Wilson is one of my neighbors & I'm constantly impressed & amazed with her dedication to ensuring that not only Calvin, their son, receives the best possible 'world education' - but pays forward what she learns/has to others, as well. She lives the "pay-it-foward" lifestyle & I'm so glad she entered! :) Definitely worthy, IMO! :)
The only other person I can think of top-of-mind whom I'd think to suggest if it wasn't Dana is Nate St. Pierre with LoveDrop & LoveBomb. The work he does is phenomenal to me & I can see him either getting a lot of use directly from it or one of the featured families getting an added gift!
Aw Crystal, your just the sweetest! So glad to have you for a neighbor and friend! We are very lucky!
Jenny - I wish I could say this contest surprises me -- but it does not as I know your generosity truly knows no bounds. You continue to inspire me to be a better person. I originally came on to second the nomination for the amazing Ruthie Powell. After seeing some of these nominations, especially for those I know first-hand are also very worthy of this pay-it-forward gift, I can see you have a very tough decision on your hands.
xo:)
Hi Jenny
My wife definitely deserves something like this. Despite us both working hard to make ends meet, she constantly goes out of her way to make packages of food and drinks for the homeless in our community. She doesn't do it for attention or praise, but it makes her feel good to give back to people less fortunate and down on their luck. Her 2004 Dell laptop is on its last legs - was a refurbished model when she purchased it. We've been trying to save for a new machine for her, so something like this would make her life so much easier and would allow her to stay in touch with family and friends without the need to replace her laptop.
She gives more of herself than anyone I know. Thanks for your time, and for allowing me to enter.
I don't know whether to "enter" here or on your facebook page....so I'm doing both :) MY SCHOOL.....or more importantly the kids in my school are so deserving/needy of this technology. There are so many apps that would allow struggling students to practice their reading and math skills independently while also allowing them to get some 21rst century skills. Our district just does not have the funds to provide this kind of technology.....in fact, we don't even have a computer lab! I've been trying, with no success thus far, to get an ipad donated for our school/student use.
What a great way to give back Voigt! And of course, as others have said, it doesn't surprise me at all coming from you!
Iowa misses you!
Thanks so much, everyone, who submitted your comments. The winner will be announced tomorrow!
Awesome, awesome, awesome!!!!
Amanda, thanks for all that you do to inspire others to be the change. XO