The Pay It Forward Challenge

Husband and wife team Malcolm and Carolyn Brathwaite give $400 to a single parent in their hometown of Philadelphia. The remaining $1,600 buys $200 gift cards for eight strangers picked at random.

Upon receiving the gift cards, some are delighted and others are a bit wary—but "all agree to pay it forward," Carolyn says. She adds that she and Malcolm have been motivated by the project to stay attuned to the needs of those around them. "We will definitely continue to pay it forward by checking the media for strangers with great needs and contributing to their cause."