the elevator project
HOW IT STARTED
In 2006, Greg helped a stranger he met in an elevator. A doctor (who witnessed what happened) bought five copies of The First Thirty (the book based on Greg's story) & made a request: He asked Greg to give the books out to the next five strangers he saw commit acts of kindness. Within days, other people matched the doctor's act -- ordering copies of the book through this website & asking Greg to give them out on their behalf (&/or they gave out the books themselves). The Elevator Project was born. SCROLL DOWN
In 2006, Greg helped a stranger he met in an elevator. A doctor (who witnessed what happened) bought five copies of The First Thirty (the book based on Greg's story) & made a request: He asked Greg to give the books out to the next five strangers he saw commit acts of kindness. Within days, other people matched the doctor's act -- ordering copies of the book through this website & asking Greg to give them out on their behalf (&/or they gave out the books themselves). The Elevator Project was born. SCROLL DOWN
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HOW IT HAS GROWN
As time went on, more people & companies & organizations ordered copies of The First Thirty - as well as the expanded edition, The Silhouette Man -- to add to the Project. The sponsors have included many Chambers of Commerce, Convention & Visitors Bureau, Main Street organizations, hotels, airports, travel agencies, nonprofits, museums, restaurants and companies all over the nation. SCROLL DOWN |
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PROJECT CONTINUES TO GROW...
As time has gone on, the Project has grown in more directions. This has included organizations -- in addition to getting copies of the books to honor local residents -- getting copies for their own staff members. And the Project also began spreading to campuses - as individuals sponsored editions of the Project at their alma maters and clubs/organizations at universities have sponsored editions as well. The Project also began transcending generations. For example, a community of seniors ordered copies to give out to teens they witnessed show kindness to their residents. SCROLL DOWN |
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GIFT OF GIVING
Over time, the Project also began being implemented as part of efforts to teach students about the 'gift of giving'. Chambers of Commerce, local organizations, state associations, restaurants and schools have ordered copies of the books and empowered local students to identify the honorees (the members of their community who should be recognized for their kindness/service and given those books). SCROLL DOWN |
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PROJECT SPREADS TO OTHER COUNTRIES
The Elevator Project eventually spread beyond the U.S. -- with books purchased through this website and then given out to people who commit acts of kindness in other places -- as far away as Africa. For example, a mother & daughter in Canada ordered copies to give to good samaritans in their city. A hotel in another part of Canada ordered copies to leave on pillows of guests who treat staff nicely. SCROLL DOWN |
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UP IN THE AIRIn some cases, the project has taken place up in the air. For example, Dayton International Airport sponsored an edition of the Project on two flights -- one to Dayton and one from Dayton. Passengers & crew who were spotted being kind to others received copies of the book. Visit Pittsburgh did the same thing for a flight to Pittsburgh. Love To Travel sponsored the project on a flight to Kansas City. SCROLL DOWN
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PROJECT GETS RECOGNIZED The Elevator Project has been highlighted by publications such as Kentucky Monthly, Dyersville Commercial, and Philanthropy Forward. SCROLL DOWN |
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DURING THE PANDEMIC
During the pandemic, organizations around the US continued to sponsor editions of The Elevator Project in their community -- including many Chambers of Commerce and CVB's in places like North Dakota, Idaho, Massachusetts, Oklahoma, Oregon, and Wisconsin. Many of them have used the pandemic-timed edition of the project to recognize front line workers who have made a difference -- such as people who work in grocery stores, people who assist those with financial need and people who work in medical settings -- and/or to thank local business people who have continued to do their best to stay positive during such a challenging time. SCROLL DOWN |
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SAMPLE OF BOOK REVIEWS
TONI MOORE, PRESIDENT & CEO, HOSPITALITY HOUSE OF TULSA: "The Silhouette Man is a moving story that demonstrates the capacity within
each of us to create a sense of community one neighbor at a time."
PAT HOGAN, MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT: "I really loved reading The First Thirty. We all set goals as we travel through life. If we open ourselves to possibilities, then the people we encounter and the lessons we learn along the way are often the best of the trip."
MORGAN SHINN, PROGRAM COORDINATOR, WENDY'S QSCC: "The Silhouette Man is a great reminder that we can all spend more time doing good in our communities and the huge impact it can have on others. It is reassurance that a little kindness goes a long way. After reading this book, I find myself asking 'what more can I be doing to better my community?'
TONI MOORE, PRESIDENT & CEO, HOSPITALITY HOUSE OF TULSA: "The Silhouette Man is a moving story that demonstrates the capacity within
each of us to create a sense of community one neighbor at a time."
PAT HOGAN, MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT: "I really loved reading The First Thirty. We all set goals as we travel through life. If we open ourselves to possibilities, then the people we encounter and the lessons we learn along the way are often the best of the trip."
MORGAN SHINN, PROGRAM COORDINATOR, WENDY'S QSCC: "The Silhouette Man is a great reminder that we can all spend more time doing good in our communities and the huge impact it can have on others. It is reassurance that a little kindness goes a long way. After reading this book, I find myself asking 'what more can I be doing to better my community?'
Bookmarks from the Sponsors
With each book, the recipient typically receives a copy of a note from the sponsor of that particular edition of the project. Every so often, a sponsor goes a step further and creates a bookmark for the occasion. Here are some examples of those bookmarks.
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EXAMPLES OF HONOREES
Click each photo below (or hover the cursor over each photo below) for captions. If the caption is in quotes, it is a quote provided by the 'selector' who chose the recipient.
SAMPLE OF RESPONSES FROM THE ELEVATOR PROJECT HONOREES
"It is definitely a surprise to me that [I was chosen] as a recipient for the book, but the gesture made my day a little brighter. I firmly believe one kind smile can make a difference in someone’s life, and I’m glad that yesterday I was able to help [a visitor] feel comfortable in our city...."
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"...my Mom has been diagnosed with... cancer....I read her [parts of the book] while sitting with her in the hospital....Through a really tough time, the book was...uplifting..."
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"I [work at a store. I help customers who come in the door]. I want to believe with my daily job I am a humanitarian & a believer in rightness of people....this story was just what I needed to remind me that I can do anything...At one point [when I was reading the book], I was [eating a sandwich] and tears fell into my sandwich, before I knew I was crying...Everyone comes into your life for a reason & [this book] came into mine to show me I'm on the right track, don't stop believing in people, learn from the mistakes you make, & keep striving till what you dream or imagine is accomplished...I will cherish this book forever."
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"...my Mom has been diagnosed with... cancer....I read her [parts of the book] while sitting with her in the hospital....Through a really tough time, the book was...uplifting..."
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"I [work at a store. I help customers who come in the door]. I want to believe with my daily job I am a humanitarian & a believer in rightness of people....this story was just what I needed to remind me that I can do anything...At one point [when I was reading the book], I was [eating a sandwich] and tears fell into my sandwich, before I knew I was crying...Everyone comes into your life for a reason & [this book] came into mine to show me I'm on the right track, don't stop believing in people, learn from the mistakes you make, & keep striving till what you dream or imagine is accomplished...I will cherish this book forever."
Example of recipients' public responses about being selected in The Elevator Project -- and the response to it from their friends
(screenshots of recipient facebook posts posted here with recipients' permission)
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Want to get a copy of The First Thirty for yourself or as a gift for someone else? (The First Thirty is for anyone, middle-school aged through grandparents) Click here.
Want to get a copy of The Silhouette Man (expanded edition of The First Thirty) for yourself or as a gift for someone? (The Silhouette Man is typically for adult-reading level). Click here. Do you (individually), or does your family /school / team / club / organization / company, want to sponsor an edition of The Elevator Project? Please contact us here. |