‘Tis the Season to Do Favors

Alpharetta, GA, December 12, 2006 --(PR.com)-- ‘ShelleyG’ is a stay at home mother of four trying to get by.  Both she and her husband were recently injured on the job, causing her to lose her job and her husband to work reduced hours.  This put a serious strain on the family’s finances.  With Christmas coming around the corner, a holiday traditionally full of hope and promise was bringing only despair.

It’s a story that is both common and unique.  Common, in that these tragedies do happen all too often.  Unique in that Shelley was able to find a way to bring some holiday cheer to her home.

While searching the Internet for free items, she came across Favorlist.com, a community site devoted to exchanging favors between its members.  After registering she posted her story on one of the site’s discussion boards.  In the same day she received an offer from another member of the site to have a care package mailed to her with basic food and toiletry items.

That member turned out to be the site’s owner and founder, Stephen O’Leary.

“I wanted to create a community where people could get a helping hand,” says O’Leary.  “I actually see it as kind of an experiment.  It’s almost like asking: ‘Deep down are people really good inside?  Would they really do a favor for someone without the guarantee they’ll receive something in return?”  O’Leary explains that when members sign up they get an initial amount of credits they can use to obtain favors.  In other words, they can “get a favor” without necessarily “doing a favor” first.

While this may not make much business sense, the answer to the eternal question about the goodness of mankind appears to offer hope that there is still good left in the world.

“What we’re seeing is that when people receive a favor, they’re actually inspired to turn around and see what they can do for others.  Some of our members are simply sending Christmas cards to others.”

ShelleyG has turned out to be one of the most active members and strongest supporters of the site.  Since joining she has offered nearly 50 individual favors to other members.  She spends her time writing Christmas cards and sending out small toys to other members in need.

“I love this group so much, it almost feels like family,” says Shelley. “I want to thank anyone in advance for granting my family favors in this time of need. I am also happy that I can send out small favors to other members and hopefully make some new friends.”

So this Christmas, instead of putting all your presents under the tree, why not put one online as well?

For information: http://www.favorlist.com or
Contact: info@favorlist.com
Phone: 770-633-3966

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