{P.I.F.} Pay It Forward {P.I.F.}

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There is a really cool Mafia Wars group called Pay It Forward {P.I.F.}.  {P.I.F.} is all about helping others and encouraging members to do the same.  One thing many of us like about Mafia Wars is we get many opportunities to help other players.  Most do so because it makes them feel good and not because they expect something in return.  {P.I.F.} is a place you can donate the loot you don't need anymore and give it to players who do.  It's more personalized than just randomly dumping it to your mafia.  This is also a great place to go if you don't feel ready to trade on the big trading sites.  {P.I.F.} is set up very similar to a trading site.  The wall is used to offer the items you want to give and is monitored 24/7 by the friendly admin.  {P.I.F.} is for both new and experienced players.  Remember the movie Pay It Forward? A little boy brings a simple idea to life.  He taught others to do favors and random acts of kindness for people without asking for anything in return.  The people you help should in turn do the same for somebody else and so on and so on.  Just like the movie, {P.I.F.} brings this philosophy to Mafia Wars and in some cases, real life.

To get started, go to the {P.I.F.} link above and explore the site.  Sai Yadlapalli, a {P.I.F.} admin did an wonderful job organizing the site.  It's obvious that he knows a thing or two about computers because all of the pages look great and are easy to use.  The first thing you will notice is that {P.I.F.} is not just a group, they are a family.  The following is the overview found in the Information Section.

"We are a peaceful family, intent on helping each other and having fun. All levels are welcome on {P.I.F}. A community where excess of loot lying in inventory is sent to people who can use them to fight, defend and enjoy the game more."/{P.I.F.} Overview

To show that {P.I.F.} is indeed a family, here is the tag of Richard Latham who is one of the Admin.  You don't need to tag yourself to be a part of this family but the option is there if you want to show other Mafia Wars players that you support this cause.

The {P.I.F.} Welcome Page is one of the best I've seen on Facebook.  You will find all kinds of great information to help you integrate into the group, learn how to use the Mafia Wars helping tools, and keep up with the game.

The {P.I.F.} Wall is where all the action takes place but you will see the information box in the left column contains links to help you navigate.

The most important thing to read is the Guidelines Section.  Here you will find all the admin and rules for the site.  Just like with trading, Pay It Forwarding must be regulated.  Because of this, there are rules that must be followed.  Before you can post to give or comment to receive loot, you must have at least 4 of the Admin as friends.

While you are waiting for the Admin to accept your friend requests, read the rules so you will know what you can and can not do.  Don't worry if you do something wrong in the beginning because the admin and other players will help you get it right.  It's also a good idea to make sure you know how to use Blofeld's Loot List and Combat Calculator.  This is will help you and the Admin determine what loot you do and don't need.  Click HERE for my instruction guide.

If you need more mafia members, they have an Add Me Section.  Like they say, {P.I.F.}ers Make Good Mafia.

There is also an external {P.I.F.} Website.

The {P.I.F.} Website is where you will find The Wall Of Shame which resembles a Scammer List set up by many trading sites.  The people who make it onto the Wall of Shame are those who do not follow the rules and try to take advantage of the generosity of others.  Many of these people don't even need the loot but take and use it to trade for even better loot.

The Admins who determine that someone is not in need of loot are known as The Banhammers.  I wasn't familiar with this term so I looked it up on the Urban Dictionary. 

Banhammer

Fictional weapon wielded by administrators on a computer game server. Used as slang referring to someone being restricted from joining servers.

"Lol, you just showed him!"
"Yea, nice job wielding your banhammer!"

I spoke with  Richard Latham and could tell he was very passionate about {P.I.F.} and it what it represents.

"We are a group of fairly accomplished MW players who have paid their dues and want to help newer players through the early levels of the game. We do not allow trades on our site, but simply give people the loot and consumables they need to progress.  We think we are a great compliment to the trading world. We have some accomplished traders on the admin team .  Overall we are trying to put a little fun into an already fun game."/Richard Latham, {P.I.F.} Admin

After the admin accepted my friend requests, I was eager to participate and offer some of my extra loot to players who could use it to increase their overall attack and defense scores.  I was a little nervous because I remembered what it was like the first time I attempted to trade.  Even though I read all the rules, I somehow managed to break most of them and got booted from a few trading sites.  The Admin were all very helpful and made me feel welcomed.  I enjoyed the experience and made some new friends.  Two of those friends are Manpreet Singh Kohli and Fred.  It made me feel good to know I was helping them to be stronger and they were both very nice.  I asked them to tell me something about their experiences with {P.I.F.}.

An amazing thing happened on the {P.I.F.} Wall today.  John Darkblade has a 7 year old son who is in dire need of a Kidney.  In a true display of selflessness, Stephen Brown offered his own.  This takes the {P.I.F.} philosophy way past Mafia Wars and loot.  Words can't describe the significance of what this act means to a young child and his family.  It proves that the bonds we have with each other are real and explains why we continue to play a game that causes us stress, confusion, and work.  The social aspect is what really keeps really us addicted.  To read this heartfelt and inspiring post, click HERE.  I wish the best for John and Stephen and hope they know that their story demonstrates the good in people and will inspire many to Pay It Forward.   
"I am at a total loss for words.  When we began {P.I.F.} we simply wanted people to see the good in others without thinking what they may receive or how they may benefit.  I have come to realize John and Stephen that this site does go beyond MW.  I see a bond between so many people on here. We are a family and a community in ever sense of the word.", Char Wilson, {P.I.F.} Admin