War Veteran Starts 'Holiday It Forward' For Those In Need

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- During the holiday season there are various ways to help those in need.

Now there is one more. Just Wednesday, an Iraq war veteran started a program in the Twin Cities called Holiday It Forward.

Pete Bosse is handing out these envelopes in both of the downtown areas. There is $1 in each envelope, and Bosse said he hopes the money will grow and then reach needy people.

Working the lunch time crowd in a St. Paul skyway, Bosse is trying to give away his money. With a couple of friends helping, he hands out these envelopes and asks people to add $1 and then pass it on. Bosse's plan is that each envelope will then end up with someone who needs the money.

Anyone who has the envelope can decide where it stops.

"They can direct where this money goes, and it's totally within their realm and their decision to decide who it goes to next," said Bosse.

But people are busy, and Bosse said only about 20 percent of those who pass by will take an envelope. Those who do love the idea.

"The fact that it was originated by an unemployed veteran is near and dear to my heart. My son spent two years in Iraq," said Deb Romie of Vadnais Heights.

"I'm very impressed. We did something similar at our church where we were tasked to give $20 to someone in need. This is even better," said Danielle White of Forest Lake.

Bosse said he also wants people to visit this web site, where he hopes people will post stories of where the money went and who got some help. He wants others to print these pages and hand out envelopes.

"All those materials are available on the web site for distribution. I would encourage people to go there and to start their own Holiday It Forward program," Bosse said.

"And he's between jobs?  Then he knows the value of even the smallest contribution," said Doug Benson of Roseville.

To get involved with the "Holiday It Forward" program, head to Bosse's web site.