Redmond coffee stand customers still pay it forward

In Redmond, Three Peaks Coffee stand is a usual stop for many. But over the last three days now — the latest Easter Sunday — the shop has not only offered customers their usual drinks, but a chance to pay it forward.

“I got here at 6 (Friday morning) and my very first customer pulled up, and she randomly just gave me five extra dollars to pay it forward to the next customer,” said Three Peaks barista Ashley McNeill said Saturday.

“Really, she was just anticipating one person get their free drink — and all day, every single person just paid it forward,”she said.

McNeill said every customer she had Friday passed on the money. She was so inspired, she left a note for her co-worker to make sure the act would continue into the next day.

And it did.

When she came in for her afternoon shift Saturday, the five dollar bills were still there on the counter.

McNeill said customers continued to pass on the money all day Saturday — and one customer even added $2 to the cause.

And then, we’re told, the same thing continued throughout Easter Sunday’s hours, so the coffee stand will be keeping up on Monday morning.

“It feels so good to be a part of something that’s contributing to others,” McNeill said. “Because its so easy to get stuck in your ways, and just do your own thing for yourself.”

Fellow Three Creeks barista Sheri Lin McGarry agreed.

“Everyone is really happy to go along with it,” said McGarry. “You know, they are excited to pay it forward. It makes them feel like they’re a part of something bigger.”

The shop says they will continue to pass the money on until someone takes the gift. But for now, they are happy to help carry out such an inspiring act of kindness.

“I think it brightens everyone’s day just a little bit, to know there’s still so many good people out there,” McNeill said.

“That’s what it’s all about,” added McGarry. “It has to start somewhere, and if it can start here and spread to other areas and other places, then we’ve done something good.”

Remember — you. too. can Pay it Forward through our monthly contest at KTVZ.COM. We’re giving the winning person $500 to “pay it forward” to a deserving person or non-profit they nominated. You can find the details and the nomination form at KTVZ.COM’s Pay it Forward page.