Carter Williams is a reporter for KSL.com. He covers Salt Lake City, statewide transportation issues, outdoors, the environment and weather. He is a graduate of Southern Utah University.
SALT LAKE CITY — "Pay it Forward Day" is recognized globally in late April, but the owners of the Utah Jazz and Mammoth are hoping to make it more of a Christmas season tradition.Smith Entertainment Group is bringing its version of the concept back on Tuesday, Dec.
9, with Ryan and Ashley Smith — the owners of the sports franchises — as well as players, coaches, mascots and other personalities with the two franchises, traveling to stores across the Salt Lake Valley to help people pay for groceries, gas and other goods."Utah has always been a place where generosity comes naturally, and it's inspiring to watch our fans, players, partners and community members join together in that spirit," said Ashley Smith, in a statement.The company will also cover all adoption fees for animals adopted from Best Friends Adoption Center in Salt Lake City that day, and deliver lunch to first responders and social workers in the area. They'll also collaborate with first responders to make "comfort kits" for people in need within their line of work.It's similar to something they carried out last year, but this year's festivities will be more statewide, as Gov. Spencer Cox is declaring Dec. 9 as "Pay it Forward Day" in Utah. America First Credit Union, LiveView Technologies and University of Utah Health are among the companies pledging to volunteer in different ways that day.Residents are also urged to carry out random acts of kindness and post them on either Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn or X with the hashtag #PayItForwardUtah.Those who complete the task are entered into a raffle to potentially receive tickets, autographed items and other merchandise from the two teams."We're really excited about the ripple effects that had last year, and we received so much feedback from people saying, 'Hey, we want to be part of it,'" said Mike Maughan, an executive for Smith Entertainment Group. "The idea is that this can be an amazing day for all of Utah."The teams debuted the Utah community version of the concept last year, and the concept gained support from players and fans alike. Being new to the state after the team relocated from Arizona, Mammoth players especially enjoyed learning about their new community. But fans also asked how they could keep the spirit going, Maughan explained to KSL.com.It's not too surprising, given that Utah is often among the most charitable states in the nation. Utah was named the top state in vol
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