Standing in a shopping mall with a sign announcing that I was giving away $600 didn't draw the immediate attention you would think. People seemed skeptical.
A few did approach, so I explained the catch: you can't keep it yourself, it can't be a relative or someone you live with. It needs to be a friend or a neighbor or someone from a church group who is going through a hard time.
Cheryl Martin stared at the sign for a while before she came up and talked about her neighbors.
"They are a husband and wife. She lost her job, he lost his job and he has heart problems. They could use the money," she said.
It turns out Gary Wareicky had a quintuple bypass. Now that he and his wife Marie are unemployed they're worried about the medical bills. But they don't dwell on their problems. Every week the neighbors get together to pray for others. They're always helping people and recently rescued their little dog Millie. We couldn't wait to pay 6 forward.
They were shocked, grateful, and a little embarrassed to accept such generosity.
"I got laid off and no one wants to hire you after you're 55. And my husband got laid off before he was 65," said Marie.
"I'm speechless," said Gary. "I never expected anything like this."
In the end, the Wareickys needed the money but didn't keep it. Marie told us a relative called when she lost HER job. They sent to the money to her, saying she needs it more.
