The gift of giving is one that can be learnt from a young age and taken into adulthood.
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Lithgow Information and Neighbour Centre (LINC) wanted to end 2020 with a big act of kindness, so they set up a "Pay it Forward" project with 25 kids getting involved.
The children were given two gifts, one they could keep and the other or both to be paid forward - given to someone else - as an act of kindness.
The children said they were going to give the gifts to their neighbours, aunts and uncles and parents.
LINC Community Hub manager Leanne Walding said LINC had been working with children across a range of programs including the Bowenfels Homework Centre and Social Housing Sports Scholarships and extended this engagement to a "Pay It Forward" kindness project to cap off 2020.
"The children were excited to be part of the "Pay if Forward" project and felt that this act of kindness made them smile, feel good about themselves and allowed them to think of others," she said.
Ms Walding said that the idea can provide connection, care and compassion in the Lithgow community.
"Pay it Forward is an act of kindness where you receive a good deed or small gift and then it is your turn to "pay it forward," she said.
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"This allows for the initiative to reach out to a diverse range of people through connection, I start by my act of kindness to three people and ask them to pay it forward to three people and before you know it 12 people have received a small act of kindness."
Pay it forward is an act of kindness and this improves wellbeing, improves self-esteem and deepens friendships, Ms Walding said.
"We all need to give and receive kindness particularly in a year that has seen our community impacted by drought, fire and COVID as we reconnect to improve our wellbeing," she said.
Ms Walding wanted to encourage other members of the community to get involved in their own 'Pay it Forward' project.
"Pay it Forward is something we can do as kindness does not have to cost money and can brighten the day of another, why not give this a go, a simple act of kindness paid forward improves well being and provides satisfaction, something we all need," she said.
Westfund Member Service Department supply chocolates and sell them to head office staff, the money collected is then donated to different organisations. In 2020 the decision was made to donate to LINC for a well-being project.
Ms Walding also wanted to thank Westfund for their donation.
"This project wouldn't have happened without their kindness," she said.
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