The idea of the RippleCard™ was conceived based on the premise that the power to make positive changes in the world is in the hands of ordinary people going out of their way to affect the lives of others in a positive and meaningful way. As I entered the queue at the Chicago Toll way, I told the attendant that I wanted to pay for the car following and in doing so asked her to pass along a note tha
t read "You've just been ripped by an act of kindness - please pass this forward!" The attendants reply was simply - "bless you". About 10 minutes later, from the corner of my eye, I caught a car to my left that turned out to be the one for which I paid their toll! The driver was waving, smiling, flashing the note and giving me the thumbs up as to say "thank you"! The RUSH of oxytocin and endorphins that coursed through my body is something I have never forgotten - inspired simply by a single act of kindness! Subsequently, I shared this story with my buddy Jay. We debated the potential impact any one person might have locally, nationally or even globally and from that RippleCard was conceived! It was inspired by a simple notion that ...
"The power to make positive change in the world is in the hands of ordinary people, simply going out of their way to affect the lives of others in a positive and meaningful way." During a time when so much negativity exists, we believe RippleCard™ is the perfect vehicle to lift the spirits and lives of not only the recipient but for the giver as well! RippleCard is a token of goodwill as well as an actual card. The purpose is to pass it on to someone while doing something nice for them. In turn, the next person will do the same for another, thus creating a RIPPLE effect of acts of kindness. What anyone chooses to do when creating an act of kindness or a ripple is their choice BUT the "sky is the limit" for whatever they choose to do. Recipients of a RippleCard have an option to either pass the card along immediately as they create a new positive ripple or ... they can first go to www.RippleCard.org (currently under reconstruction) and register the card along with a brief recap of how they received their card & how receiving it made a positive impact in their life. From that point forward they can track the card and see the ripples it continues to create and how it is affecting the lives of others. We conducted a beta test launched with a small group of students from Purdue University. After setting up a production table in the basement, we handmade 500 RippleCards. To our amazement within the 6 month beta we tracked cards from Australia & New Zealand to the United Kingdom ... from South America to Canada and countless ripples were tracked all across the United States - thus substantiating our belief that not only can any one person make a difference but an act of kindness knows no borders or boundries! COUNTRIES RIPPLES HAVE REACHED INCLUDE ...
Argentina, Australia, Canada, Croatia, Denmark, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Maldives, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Phillipines, Singapore, South Africa, Taiwan, United Kingdon and the United States
REAL STORIES
My Ripple took place in Denver, Colorado. This Ripplecard was attached to a nice flower arrangement given to me by a friend that was sent to lift my spirits and it worked! My Ripple tool place in Venice Italy. I arrived in Venice on a whim traveling by myself through Europe, a graduation present from my parents. My plan was to stop for the afternoon and go on to Florence. After checking the train schedules I could not make the last train so I would have to find a place. I consulted my trusty Rick Steves guild to Europe and found a small hostel it even had a map, kind of. It was a sketch, had some landmarks and some direction. After walking for a while a man asked if I was lost. He was an American, and offered his iPhone GPS to help me see where I was and where I needed to go. We walked through the maze they call Venice. Down allys, over bridges, following our little blue dot to my destination. At the end of my guilded tour he gave me a RippleCard. And to top it off the lady at the hostel let me in even though they were closed. Erika Thanks RippleCard. My Ripple took place in Indpls, Indiana. It has been a tough year for my family but...I know we're blessed in many ways. I got this ripple card with a complete turkey dinner for my family. This gift came anonymously & there was a note asking me to do something nice for someone else & we will! I'm pretty sure I know who left them & if you read this THANK YOU! Read more stories at RippleCard on Facebook
A TESTIMONY
Hi Michael,
I just wanted to pass along to you a thought of mine & a sincere thank you. When we first connected on LinkedIn, I saw your line of "Co-Founder at RippleCard.org" & decided to check it out. From my first impression, I thought, "Eh interesting & different kind of idea, but a total waste of time & no potential." In the time since, I've returned several times to the website as more stories are shared & read many of them. I wanted to now apologize for my initial judgment of your idea & switch it to say thank you for inspiring me. I'm only a 20 year old college student, but a serious & aspiring entrepreneur. At my age/experience level, I sometimes get lost in the reality of things thinking money potential takes priority in a business, but yours has really changed my mind & in turn, provided me some drive to make an impact in my own way. I think the fundamental idea behind RippleCard is sensational and truly motivating. The fact that something so small like the card can have such a large & repetitive impact helping our society one person at a time is brilliant. So in my apology again would like to say thank you. Although we have never personally met, you have inspired me to not only be a better person & support your cause, but changed my thinking moving forward. I wish you & your business nothing, but success and hope to hear more positive stories in the future. My best regards,
J.G. Every time I read this, it brings tears to my eyes. A simple act of paying a toll has not only changed attitudes but has changed people's lives in ways I never imagined! WHO BENEFITS FROM RippleCard
First of all , anyone who is the beneficiary of one; however, we have several ideas to help further the reach and impact of each RippleCard. One is to partner with non-profit organizations to help them promote worthy causes and in doing so ...
"... affect the lives of others in a positive and meaningful way." Additionally, each non-profit will have a dedicated page on the RippleCard website that will not only track the number of ripples created by those linked to their organization but will also provide a link whereby visitors can learn more about the non-profit, volunteer or even make a donation. Going forward as ripples are created, we will continue to seek corporate sponsors and other organizations to implement campaigns with their employees and/or members. Some are ready to sign on at relaunch to be among the first ripple makers. HOW FUNDS WILL BE ALLOCATED
Currently, a few volunteers have used money out of their pockets to fund the beta test. With the overwhelming response, it is clear that we cannot continue to ask these passionate people to do so. To take it to the next level, we need funds to:
- Update and secure the website, secure the domain, establish non-profit status, attorney fees, copyright protection
- Purchase equipment to make RippleCards (conversion from manually laminated stock to embossed cards like a credit card)
- An initial stock of plastic cards & ink
- Office supplies
- Relaunch event and campaign
Jay, I and our volunteers are passionate about this endeavor and have no doubt that RippleCard will become a movement that will affect the lives of many ... not only here but globally. As much as your support will mean to us ... it is more important to focus on how much it will continue to mean to exponetially so many more! Please join us by making a donation today! The sooner you do, the sooner you help to ... affect the lives of others in a positive and meaningful way! "Be the change you wish to see in the world."
- Ghandi
