Via Make D.C. Smile.
Make D.C. Smile, a self-appointed group in charge of making people in Washington happy through do-goodery, has launched a new Pay It Forward project that aims to put free coffee in your hands.
With the Blind Dog Cafe on Florida Avenue NW, Make D.C. Smile is helping to give away free coffee and tea purchased by someone else.
Individuals will be randomly selected throughout the day and surprised with a coffee or tea that has been pre-paid by another member in the community. Each coffee that is gifted will include a hand-made coffee sleeve with a positive message! In return, we encourage others to pay it forward and continue spreading positivity by any simple, small act of kindness of their choosing.
The group, which was formed a year ago, is asking people interested in “spreading positivity” to purchase a coffee or tea for someone else at Blind Dog, which is a pop-up coffee shop located in Darnell’s Bar during the day.
Members of Make D.C. Smile recently stood on the Key Bridge with signs like “Today is Awesome” and “Chin Up Buttercup” in an attempt to make drivers smile, as WTOP reported. While the sign holding is their most practiced activity, the group was also behind a chalk mural last December that was covered in nice messages.
Update: Make D.C. Smile founder Massoud Adibpour explains how he got the idea for the coffee giveaway.
We got the idea for the project after hearing an NPR radio story about a similar campaign in the European Union, which began as a way to build community and show support for those struggling with hard times. Customers could choose to pay-it-forward by offering to purchase a ‘suspended coffee’ for another, which could be redeemed at anytime by anyone. We loved the idea, believing that sometimes it’s the little things — like a simple cup of coffee — that can brighten one’s day and propel a powerful movement of generosity and positivity, and we’re excited to translate the concept here in D.C. area. We’re thankful Blind Dog Cafe agreed to take part in the campaign as the first location, and we’re hoping to get many other area coffee shops on board as well.
