Amy Mason saw it on the news - a chance to help her little town. CBS 4 News issued a challenge to their viewers in Colorado. "Tell us how you would use $1000 to help others," they said one night, announcing their Pay it Forward contest. So Amy went to work to show them her plan to help the people of the Town of Guffey, Colorado.

The entry required a short video and information explaining how she would use the money to help others. CBS4 News made five awards of $1000 available. This community-minded lady was determined to be one of the five. Her town needed help and she was going to get it for them.

With camera and tripod in hand, Amy started through the town, filming the signs of hardship in Guffey. In her letter to Channel 4, Amy wrote, "some of our families here are desperately struggling and facing adversities with the rising cost of groceries, gas and utility bills." About three dozen people live in the town itself, with many others in the outlying areas of rural southeast Park County. She continued in her letter, "If I were awarded this challenge ~ to use the one thousand dollars to help others ~ I would pick ten of our community individuals or families that are experiencing hardships right now and I would invite them to coffee at our little coffee house, "Rita's" and hand out ten envelopes with one hundred dollar bills."

Amy's efforts and passion paid off. The week after the contest closed, she received a call from Channel 4 telling her she had been selected to receive one of the five checks. She will ask the school principal, fire chief, and librarian to help her select the 10 neighbors who will be handed the envelopes. As promised, Amy will distribute the money at Rita's on Tuesday, February 6th at 1:00 p.m.

Guffey Library

Fellow Guffey citizen, Betty Royse, expressed concern for the town and praised Amy's efforts. "Guffey looks like it is reverting to its ghost town status with all the "for sale" and "for rent" signs in town," Betty explained. "As for Amy, she is a bright whirl of energy that has warmed the lives of many Guffey residents. Her ability to dream up a plan to benefit others and then actually make the time to follow through on her idea is typical of her caring nature. Amy is the poster child for the Pay It Forward concept."

Another neighbor in Guffey is also worried about his town. And Sam Calanni is not surprised by Amy's success in helping others. "Many Guffey residents are in the construction trades and this harsh weather has created financial hardships for quite a few," said Sam. He speaks from experience, saying, "Why wasn't I suprised when I learned that Amy had been selected? Because she has been trying to make life better for any one she can ever since she moved to Guffey several years ago."

Amy feels as rewarded as those who will receive the fruits of her efforts. "Today I called the recipients and what a wonderful experience. I am the lucky one to be able to experience this with them."

Watch CBS 4 News this week for updates on the Pay it Forward stories, including this very special gift for Park County's little Town of Guffey.