Paying it forward -- $55 at a time

TAMPA - Christina Sanchez's room looks like a tornado went through it.

"Welcome to the mess that is my life," she offered.

The 18-year-old is packing, getting ready to go to college in two months. Now, she's feeling a lot better about college, thanks to the kindness of strangers.

Earlier this month, 65 people were invited to a dinner by Ryan Nece and his foundation.
Nece, a former Tampa Bay Buccaneer, handed them an envelope and gave them a challenge.

"They had no idea why they were there. They thought they were coming to write a check. I said, 'I'm going to give you guys, each of you $55, and I want you to take that $55 and make an impact,'" Nece said.

He gave the $55 in honor of his jersey number with the Detroit Lions, his most recent team. But Nece also gave that amount to show it doesn't take much to make an impact.

The idea is to get people to help others, all the time -- of course, not always with money.

"I trust the people who are embracing the challenge and embracing the power of giving," he continued. "I think the smallest gesture, whether it's lending a helping hand or sharing a smile, those are all gifts -- gifts of yourself, giving of your time, in a positive energy."

Christina's mom was at that dinner with Nece. She got the $55 and decided to pay it forward to her daughter.

Christina had a difficult childhood watching her mom be abused. The family moved often. Christina had to get a job to help the family.

"I started working as soon as I could. When I turned 15 and they told me I could work, I was excited. I could go and make money and try and help myself. Because I knew my mom didn't have a lot of money to help me," explained Christina.

She made the grades to get a scholarship to UCF but worried about paying for room and board.

Her mom told her friends about the $55 challenge and they told others. So far, 14 other people have donated the same amount to Christina. She has enough right now to pay for two months in the dorm, including meals.

And when she's able, Christina plans to return the favor.

"I'm going to pay it forward for sure. I have big plans for myself so hopefully I'll be able to help other people."

Ryan Nece is following the people he gave the money to on his website to see who they gave the money to and how it's affected them. You can see more at www.ryannece.com/blog/