the elevator project

Picture
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 
​ 

HOW IT HAS GROWN

As time went on, more individuals, companies, and organizations ordered copies of The First Thirty - as well as the expanded edition, The Silhouette Man -- to add to the Project. SCROLL DOWN
​​
​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 spread 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 ​
​GIFT OF GIVING
​
The Project also became part of efforts to teach students about the 'gift of giving'.  Local organizations, associations, chambers, restaurants, companies/banks 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 ​
​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 ​
UP IN THE AIR: ​In some cases, the project has taken place up in the air. Dayton International Airport, for example, 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 on the flights received books. Tourism & travel-related groups have sponsored similar instances of the project on other flights SCROLL DOWN ​
 
PROJECT GETS RECOGNIZED

The Elevator Project has been highlighted by publications such as ​Kentucky Monthly, Dyersville Commercial, and Philanthropy Forward. SCROLL DOWN ​
DURING THE PANDEMIC

During the pandemic, organizations around the US continued to sponsor editions of The Elevator Project in their community. Many of them used the pandemic-timed edition of the project to recognize front line workers making a difference  -- such as people who work in grocery stores and people who work in medical settings -- and/or to thank local business people who continued to do their best to stay positive during such a challenging time. SCROLL DOWN ​
Picture
​

​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."



​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. In a couple of instances, a sponsor went a step further and creates a bookmark for the occasion. Here is an example of one of those bookmarks.

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...."

"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)

Want to get a copy of The Silhouette Man or any of the other books for yourself or as a gift for someone else? 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.