Anonymous Gifts for Those
Who Just Need a Break
THE POWER OF THE
Written Word
G reat things can happen when you put pen to paper.
Many of our history’s most famous wisdoms, greatest
song lyrics and most innovative new business concepts
started in just this way. Handwriting simply allows our ideas
to flow.
Whatever your idea or endeavor, expressing it with
handwriting gives it that personal touch that invites people
to connect. Whether a full-blown business plan or a sketch
on the back of a napkin, the stronger those connections, the
greater the results.
Give your ideas the impact they deserve. The Pilot G2 is
the pen overachievers reach for to conquer their tasks,
enable their passion projects and express their dreams. Two
overachievers who have realized the power of the pen are
Jacqueline Norvell and Greg Thorpe. Both are winners of
the $50,000 Pilot G2 Overachievers Grant which recognizes
extraordinary people who go above and beyond every day
to improve the lives of others.
Priyanka and Pilot Pen award Greg Thorpe as the new G2
Overachievers Grant winner
Pilot Pen and Priyanka Chopra Jonas have partnered for the $100,000
G2 Overachievers Grant and $15,000 G2 Overachievers Student Grant. To
nominate yourself or someone you know who goes above and beyond their
9-5 to better their community, go to G2Overachievers.com.
Thorpe is an inspiring person.
He is a father of three and a high
school Religion teacher. In 2013,
the Thorpe family’s lives would
change forever when their wife
and mother, Jen, was diagnosed
with stage IV colon cancer. Though
the family travelled to various hospitals and
treatment centers, Jen ultimately lost her battle
with the disease in December of 2015. But, the Thorpe’s
tremendous trial resulted in an amazing charity called
JUST-a-BREAK. Cancer treatments are very expensive
and can burden families financially, so, out of their own
funds, Greg and Jen began purchasing movie tickets and
restaurant gift cards for nurses to anonymously hand out
to other patients’ families. Their intention was to share
a small blessing, help many in “desperate” situations by
allowing them to literally take a break and “forget about
cancer” for a few hours, or a couple days. Since 2015
JUST-a-BREAK has helped over 500 families and given
over 700 gifts.
“
“I’m a big believer in the written word.”
Thorpe says. “It’s about saying on paper that
someone out there is thinking [about] them.”
—Little did he suspect that the very pen he’s been
a fan of for years and years, and uses as a teacher,
would help him grow his mission.
Making a Difference One
Meal at a Time
Norvell is commonly known
around downtown Los Angeles
as the Brown Bag Lady because
of the numerous meals she
distributes to the hungry and
homeless living on Skid Row. It all
began in December 2012, when she
and her son took her holiday bonus money,
made turkey dinners, and hand delivered them to help
feed the homeless.
Today, her organization (brownbaglady.org) continues
to grow with her team meeting on the first Sunday of
every month to make and deliver 250 brown bag lunches.
Over the years, they’ve made and delivered more than
50,000 meals, along with clothing, blankets and other
vital resources.
She includes a handwritten note with every
meal. “They’re usually words of encouragement
or inspiration,” Norvell explains. “The notes are
conversation starters and seem to lift people’s spirits.
The impact is unbelievable.”