From the moment I saw the movie “Pay It Forward,” I wished I had the guts to do something like that. Paying for a stranger’s meal, giving away something I don’t need to someone who really needs it, handing out ice-cold bottled water to hot people I see on the street. Oh, right. #ClearAmerican provided me with the opportunity to hand out water during the hottest time of the year.

I purchased some Clear American water at Walmart recently. I was picking up a few bottles for myself (yum yum) and decided to grab a few extra four-packs of 16.9-oz bottles to hand out to those hanging out at the start of the Port Huron to Mackinac race on Saturday, July 23.

I had a great time shopping for the drinks and even left the store with way more than I went in for, including a new bathing suit for my baby girl. You can see more about my shopping experience, and the giveaway in the ThisMoment that I created.

Saturday morning, I put my waters in a soft-sided cooler with some ice and headed out to the river to find some hot, thirsty people. As we headed down the sidewalk, I started offering the bottles of Clear American to those sitting in the shade and on benches. Shockingly, many said no. My brother said they were probably leery of  taking water from a stranger, but others were really receptive of the idea and actually came up to me asking for some water. They were so thankful to get something to drink while standing out in the heat and humidity.

And I felt good. I was happy to be able to share the Clear American goodness to those standing in our heatwave to see their friends and family off on the largest fresh-water sailboat race.

This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias, which is a vendor for Cott Beverages Inc., the manufacturer of Clear American ® brand beverages.  While I was paid for the post, my thoughts are my own.