By Kimberly Gasuras

A young mother made her way through the aisles of Walmart in Bucyrus with both of her children, unsuspecting of what was about to unfold.

As Courtney Hartline checked the prices on the necessities she was a purchasing, members of The Positive Seekers made their way toward her.

Carolyn Shireman, president and founder of the non-profit group, handed the young mom a Christmas card.

“We want to give you a gift,” Shireman said to the surprised mother.

As Hartline opened the card, her three-year-old daughter, Sophia, was focused on the little dog wearing a Santa suit that Shireman was holding. Shireman’s Shih-Tzu, Huey, had come along for The Positive Seekers’ fourth-annual Pay It Forward.

Courtney was shocked to find a $50 Walmart gift card inside the Christmas card.

“This has never happened to me before,” Hartline said through tears.

Joe Graham, also of The Positive Seekers, explained that the only requirement in receiving the gift is for Hartline to one day pay it forward to someone else.

“I will do that. This is so amazing,” Hartline said as she showed the group her little six-month-old baby boy, asleep in his infant seat inside her cart.

Hartline later joined The Positive Seekers group on Facebook and left a message: “You all made my night with the surprise Christmas card and gift card at Walmart! Thank you so much! It meant the world to me and I am forever grateful! I’m so glad my daughter got to see such an amazing act of kindness in today’s world! THANK YOU!!”

The next stop for the group was at Kroger in Bucyrus where they surprised Amye Nolen with a $50 Kroger card.

“I have never had this happen to me before,” Nolen said as tears streamed down her face.

Nolen and her husband, Richard, are raising two of their grandchildren.

“I am an aide at Bucyrus Elementary and as the boys grow out of their clothes, I am always donating them. I think it’s so important to give to others,” Nolen said.

The group then headed to UDF where they presented two young couples with $30 UDF gas cards and last week, they presented a $500 check to Altercare so that residents can get their hair styled and cut that otherwise would not be able to afford to do so.

“We know that every single penny counts for so many this time of year. It is our prayer that these folks were helped, and it’s also our prayer that they pay it forward when they are able,” Graham said. “We believe in angels. We believe in Christmas miracles. If you can be an angel, do so. If you need a miracle, have hope.”

Shireman told her story on Facebook of the reasons you wanted to create a Pay It Forward program.

“Growing up we were so very poor. We had butter knives in the door to keep it shut. No running water, a wood burning stove for heat. In the front yard there was a big round hole filled with trash. All kinds of trash. We played there. It was cold, winter was here and Santa was going to go to everyone’s house to deliver presents. But, he wasn’t coming to ours because there was no tree nor pretty lights for him to see. Not even any cookies and milk. We never had company so, when someone knocked at the door, we were right behind our mom. She opened the door and the voices of carolers were standing right in front of us singing just as beautiful as could be.

Then there was a tree and boxes of gifts for under the tree. They weren’t wrapped and we could choose what we wanted. There were seven of us to share the gifts. Santa found our house! I have never forgotten that day. That is where my idea of ‘PAY IT FORWARD’ came from.”

Shireman said she wishes the group could do more.

“We depend on donations to fund this program and the others that we do throughout the year,” Shireman said.

For more information, visit The Positive Seekers on Facebook at

https://www.facebook.com/groups/THEPOSITIVESEEKERS..