It was holiday cheer on an early Wednesday morning in chilly December 2007 that started the now well-renowned ”Pay It Backward” record to beat.

A woman at a Starbucks’ drive-thru in Seattle offered to buy the drink for the customer in-line behind her, leaving behind a simple “happy holidays” wish before she sped off quickly down the street. From this first random act of kindness at 8:00am on Wednesday began a chain of 489 more until 8:00am the next morning.

Stranger after stranger, doing their part to spread good ol’ kindness in the drive-thru and inside lobby line-ups. Together, they set the unofficial world “Pay It Backward” record of 490 within a 24 hour period.

World Records are Meant to Fall

Andrew said it best in the introductory post, “Records are set so that someone might one day aspire to beat them.”

This record in particular inspires us to push ourselves and the people around us - that means you - just a little more to showcase our Toronto. In fact, we think it will warrant us the title of the ‘Do Good’ Capital of the World.

All We Need is 490, +1. No oddities, no questions, and no spins.

It’s more than buying the person behind you a coffee. It’s putting a smile on their face. It’s saying hello. It’s doing something kind.

To Recap the Deets

What: A record-breaking day for good deeds (more than 500 “pay it backward” coffee buys).
When: April 4th @ 1 p.m. (the festivities will kickoff at noon and we will be storming the gates at 1 p.m. sharp).
Where: Second Cup at the corner of Queen St. & John St. in Toronto (beside MuchMusic). View Larger Map
How: Add your name here to confirm your attendance and get the latest news on “pibTO” as it comes available.
Why: Because doing some good feels pretty freakin’… well… GOOD!

With Pay It Backward Day only 10 days away now, we wanted to make sure you had access to all of the wonderful things available for you to help spread the word.

I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again - it’s the one thing that geeks and girl scouts have in common… badges! Thanks to the great work of designer Tiffany Shum and our own Verne Ho, we’ve now got lots of badges for you to download. You’ll also notice they’ve given the event a snazzy looking new logo.

So go ahead, throw it up on your blog, Facebook profile, Twitter avatar, or shirt sleeve. Click here to download your badges!

You may also have come across our Facebook event page. We’re doing the official RSVP for the event through Facebook, so be sure you’ve added yourself to it. You can also use it to post any questions or comments, as well as invite your friends and family to the April 4 event! Click here to see the Facebook event!

Let us know if you have any other ideas or requests.