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Local Company "Paying It Forward" Two Dollars At A Time

By Laura Donaldson
June 18, 2010 Updated Dec 24, 2009 at 6:17 PM EST FORT WAYNE, Ind. (Indiana’s NewsCenter) - A two-dollar bill may not buy much these days, but it sure is making a big difference in our community. Fort Wayne’s Votaw Electric is joining dozens of business across the nation in a grassroots effort to stimulate local economies. It’s a revolution called "The People's Stimulus Package." Earlier this week, Owner Dan Votaw handed out 60, two-dollar bills to each of his 77 employees, asking them not to save or pay bills with it, but to spend it at local businesses and give 20 percent to charity. Votaw calls it the "two-dollar cure for the economy.” “I’m hoping this will stimulate the involvement by the people who work at Votaw Electric, and hopefully encourage others to do the same,” Votaw said. Workers say they're taking this opportunity give back to the community and teach their children about "paying it forward." “My son had the idea of going to the movie theatre on Christmas day and using the movie to pay for the people behind us in line,” Votaw Electric Field Operation Coordinator Nick Burchfield said. “I spent some of it on some gifts at the Botanical Conservatory and I donated some to the Saint Mary's Soup Kitchen,” Votaw Electric Project Coordinator Greg Genperline said. “And I still have a few dollars left and I may just give it to another charity. I think that's the best thing to do cause they're hurting.” Dan Votaw says he will be doing this again next year. “Hopefully this will inspire others to help one another, and support one another, ” Votaw said. “As oppose to asking someone else to do it for us. Like the federal government or some other entity to do it for us.” More than $170,000 has been given for this cause nation wide according to The People's Stimulus Package website. To join in or learn more about this cause visit: http://peoplesstimulus.org/
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