The Pay It Forward Challenge

Suzanne Kenton uses her challenge money to help her 8-year-old niece Destiny and her fellow Brownies send gifts to children overseas. The Thousand Oaks, California, troop is packing shoe boxes filled with toys and toiletries for Operation Christmas Child.

The project is sponsored by Samaritan's Purse, an evangelical organization led by Franklin Graham. In addition to toys, each box contains a pamphlet from Graham's ministry. According to their website, the group sent more than 7.9 million boxes to children in 95 countries last year alone!

With their $1,000 in hand, Suzanne and Destiny buy enough toys and supplies for 40 boxes—double what the 12 Brownies had planned to pack. Suzanne's sister donates most of the shoe boxes. "I figure the kids need the shoe boxes more than my shoes need a home," she jokes.

Suzanne is pleased with the results. "I feel that in some small way, I have touched the next generation. … Perhaps the boxes will reach the next Nobel Peace Prize winner or breakthrough scientist or doctor."