Pay it Forward

Knockout Ebola and Dwight Joseph, (Grey Hat Status) are giving back to his home country of Liberia. His charity is helping combat the Ebola outbreak crisis.

“Pay it Forward” is a familiar expression. But what does it mean? John F. Kennedy profoundly declared, “Let us think of the means of developing our greatest abilities, because in each of us there is a private hope and dream which, fulfilled, can be translated into benefit for everyone and greater strength for our nation.”[pullquote]
“Let us think of the means of developing our greatest abilities, because in each of us there is a private hope and dream which, fulfilled, can be translated into benefit for everyone and greater strength for our nation”

John F. Kennedy
[/pullquote] He made it clear that doing good for the sake of society is a high and noble purpose. However, do you know anyone who is actually “Paying it Forward?” I asked myself that question. I know how hard it is to organize for a cause. There are endless hours of unpaid work involved, and add to that, a large amount of out-of-pocket expense that is never repaid. So what motivates a person that is already pushing the limits of time, money and scheduling to get involved and start “Paying it Forward?” Recently, I came across one such person.

Dwight Joseph is a Liberian born Mixed Martial Artist living in Lincoln, Nebraska. A few months ago, Dwight started with an idea. He wanted to help combat the crisis in Liberia. When I talked to Dwight about helping him with his cause, I have to admit, I was apprehensive. I don’t know how many people tell me that they want to “DO” something charitable but turn away when they realize how much work must be done to actually make a difference. Dwight’s passion for the people of his home country of Liberia was apparent. I foolishly underestimated that passion. Dwight Joseph is not only trying to make a difference he IS making a difference. Dwight is now the founder of “The Knockout Ebola Campaign.” He created knockoutebola.com and is donating 100% of the proceeds from his website and all events to combat the Ebola Crisis in Liberia.

The outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus started in west Africa. After spreading to Liberia, the country is experiencing the worst of the pandemic. Liberia has a significantly higher amount of cases and a higher death toll due to this crisis. This virus can have up to a 90% fatality rate. In August 2014, the country went into a state of emergency, closing most of its borders, putting restrictions on public gatherings and implementing a curfew. Officials called this the deadliest Ebola outbreak in history. Liberia is one of the poorest countries in the world and lacks the healthcare system we have here in the United States to deal with the spread of this virus. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the situation is estimated to get worse before it gets better.

Like most people, Dwight wanted help the fight against the Ebola virus. He has found sponsors and contributors to raise money to be donated directly to the Samaritan’s Purse, a US based organization with teams that work in crisis areas around the world. They are one of the main organizations helping to treat the infected and raising awareness of the virus in west Africa. The Samaritan’s Purse develops points of contact in each community as Ebola protection kits are distributed to affected families. Kits will include Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), food, buckets, hygiene products to control waste management, and plastic sheeting to create a barrier in homes, which are typically one-room homes. The larger home-based care kits contain gloves, rubber boots, plastic sheeting, safety eyeglasses, buckets, towels, garbage bags, chlorine, a chlorine sprayer, labels, a plastic carrying bag, Ziploc bags, a measuring cup, an oral digital thermometer, and a clear measuring pitcher.
Along with donations, Dwight Joseph’s “Knockout Ebola Campaign” will be selling Knockout Ebola Fight Shirts and all proceeds will be donated to The Samaritan’s Purse through the Knockout Ebola Campaign. So if “Pay it forward” is just an expression. Dwight Joseph’s Knockout Ebola Campaign is the action to go along with it. You can contact and donate to the cause at knockoutebola.com and start “Paying it Forward” for yourself…

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