On a relatively cool evening (for August, anyway), CultureMap popped up to offer refreshments to Houstonians finding their zen at outdoor yoga in Discovery Green’s lush park. After some serious stretching and chakra alignment, 50 locals were treated to popsicles from chill home-grown purveyors KicPops, some cool Frost Bank swag, and were encouraged to Frost It Forward via $10 Frost Bank gift cards.
It’s all part of the Frost’s Opt for Optimism program, which encourages Houstonians to build optimism through a spirit of generosity, specifically by surprising strangers with a random act of kindness via the card. Whether you gift a cup of coffee, lunch, or a cool treat, the idea is to share your good fortune with others — and ultimately, start a movement.
Once you’ve spread the joy, you’re encouraged to share your story on social media using the hashtag #frostitforward.
Many participants say they have experienced a pay-it-forward moment and look forward to doing the same. “Somebody randomly paid for my drink recently, so I’ve wanted to do something nice for someone else,” says Michelle Chang, upon receiving her Frost gift card. “Maybe someone is having a hard day — you don’t know. So buying something small for them could really make their day.”
Alec Martinez is inspired by the Opt for Optimism philosophy. “When corporations take a step like this, they can really drive society,” he says. “I think this is fabulous and I think it’s something individuals should take part in, but to see corporations take part is really impressive.”
If you’re looking to make a difference, check out our handy guide to local charities, presented by CultureMap and Frost Bank. And be on the lookout for the CultureMap team and follow along on Instagram or Twitter — you never know where we’ll pop up next to spread the joy.
Heather Leighton, Alli Keithan, and Jenna Ulbricht.
