Paying it Forward

A Florida community has rallied together to support a seven-year-old girl who is fighting an extremely aggressive form of cancer.

The Keys to Independence program will reimburse youth and caregivers for the costs associated with driver’s education, driver’s licenses, and other costs related to getting a driver’s license as well as motor vehicle insurance.

Best friends Matthew Lucus, Maaz Mohiuddin, Jackson Bennett, Michael Crocetti and J.T. Rattigan created the nonprofit called the Play For Keeps Foundation.

The FOX 35 Care Force is on a mission to salute people making a difference in our community. We introduce you to a group of volunteers who are paying it forward, so kids have what they need to grow up to be healthy adults.

The group oversees more than 3,000 kids in the foster care system in Orange, Osceola, and Seminole Counties. They hope to collect 1,000 pairs of shoes.

“Chess has helped me a lot, and I hope it does the same for these kids: that is patience, perseverance, sportsmanship and camaraderie.”

Teachers are always helping others, but sometimes they need a little help themselves. A local church has done just that, paying it forward to an educator who is also a single mom and a great friend and mentor to many.

For Luis Vasques Mercado, family comes first. Those are not just words as his actions prove it. Shortly after taking his seven grandchildren into his home, Mercado lost his job as a banker after the branch where he worked closed. Things seemed dire but a special gift was provided by the Kingdom Church of Orlando.

A Central Florida couple is opening their hearts and home to foster children. But what started out as fostering is now turning into adoption.

Peter and Kendra Amico wanted a big family, and a big family is what they got. They have 5 kids -- ages 8, 6, 5, 4, and 10 months.

In April, Leanh Ming, 41, was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. She had to take a leave of absence from work so she could have a double mastectomy and undergo chemotherapy.

Some people believe in angels on earth, but Kathy Downs is a fairy -- a "bike fairy" that is.

She fought cancer and won that battle, but in the process, she lost her job, home, and car. Now, others are helping her get back on her feet.

Ketia Cayo nominated three people for the Kingdom Church's Pay It Forward $1,000 blessing, including her own mother. Little did she know, there was a surprise in store for her.

Mahret Teku's friend, David Mitchell, nominated her for The Kingdom Church of Orlando's gift of $1,000. But this is a Paying it Forward story with an unexpected twist.

Howard Reynolds retired from his job as a surveyor two years ago. He always hoped that after retirement he could work part-time doing something a little less strenuous.

Hogar CREA International of Florida is an in-patient addiction center in Orlando. The facility houses up to 50 men who go through an 18 to 20-month program, and it doesn't cost them a dime.

A woman fighting Stage 3 cancer is focusing on paying it forward to help others.

The food pantry at Iglesia Cristiana Bethel Wesleyana has been around for seven years. Organizers say it started because seniors had to make a decision between purchasing medications or food.