Branford resident Willard Finkle shares news of a pay-it-forward Christmas gift that has suprised and inspired him.

On Sat. Dec. 19, Finkle and a friend were walking his dog, enjoying some beautiful weekend weather on the Branford green. What happened next was something he never anticipated.

"A young girl of 14 or 15 walked up to us, handed me an envelope and a rose and said 'Simple act of kindness,' and she left," said Finkle.

As the girl ran off and got into a waiting car with an adult the wheel, then drove off, Finkle opened the envelope.

"Inside there was a card with a $50 bill and a beautiful handwritten note. It was really powerful," said Finkle.

The note read, "Hope this simple act of kindness brings a smile to your face and makes your holiday season a little easier. Pay it forward!"

Finkle says he was inspired to buy $50 worth of food to donate to Branford Food Pantry and he plans to suprise someone else with a similar note and the original $50 bill shared with him.

"I've lived in Branford a long time, over 30 years, and never had anything like this happen," said Finkle. "We're going to pass it on."