One of the best parts of going to a concert for a great band is the crowd. It begins with the excitement that fills the air entering the venue. We’re all there to see a favourite artist and the excitement pouring into the stadium is palpable. Which songs will they play? What will they open with? What will be said on stage? The house lights go down, the stage lights go up, and we’re all entranced.

The energy of the crowd reaches another level when the band plays their biggest hits and cellphones and camera flashbulbs fill the air. Then, almost invariably, something magical happens. The lead singer brings us to the chorus and… stops singing. But the concert doesn’t grind to a halt. Rather, the voices of the crowd fill the air. Some of us can sing, and some of us can only yell – but from all that practice alone in our room or in the shower, we all know the words. And by the thousands of us coming together, we create something that none of us could ever achieve on our own, and something none of us will soon forget.

When I learned that the second installment of Pay it Backward Day would bring together people from across Ontario at over 170 Second Cup locations, I felt that same excitement of entering the stadium before a big show. So many of us buy a coffee every day, but we do it alone and we do it for ourselves. On September 30, we’ll have a chance to do something we’d do on our own anyways, but by Paying it Backward, we unite. By joining the movement, our voices unite to create something we could never duplicate on our own. We will make history and we’ll help hundreds, even thousands of children just by doing we’d do on our own anyways. But by doing it together.

So let’s raise our voices and make September 30th a day to remember. Pay it Backward, everybody - we all know the words so let’s make something memorable.

As of today, the Pay It Backward Day promotions are in FULL effect - and we couldn’t be more excited!!! With the help of our amazing sponsors, The Second Cup Ltd and Silk Soy Beverage, plus a host of other media and donation sponsors, we are well on our way to blowing April 4th’s pibTO out of the water.

First of all, starting today, 170+ Second Cup cafes across Ontario are decked out in full-out Pay It Backward Day decor. From posters, to buttons, to challenge cards by the register, Pay It Backward Day is written all over the place! Silk Soy Beverage is doing their part to help us raise awareness, too - as of today, they have developed their own site devoted to this do-gooding intiative. Stop on by and learn more about the vital role that Silk is playing in the Pay It Backward Day movement!

Speaking of websites…you may have noticed that we have launched our own new, upgraded site - but if not, you’ve gotta check it out, stat!  Thanks to our glorious creative team at Jet Cooper and the dedication to excellence of our lead developer @darcy_clarke the site looks amazing and is full of tons of useful information - including maps of participating Second Cup locations, contest  and event information, and much more!

Yep, the Pay It Backward Day ball is officially rolling. If you haven’t stopped by to “Join the Movement” on our new site, I highly suggest you do so! And, in the mean time, keep your eyes peeled for more PIB Day paraphenalia floating about the city. We’ve got lots of tricks up our sleeves - so be sure to check back in with us to learn the latest Pay It Backward Day shenanigans…

Ta ta for now!