My daughters have spent many a long afternoon wondering how they could raise money for the poor. They've even sold confetti (cut up pieces of construction paper) out of our driveway. A very sweet and generous neighbor actually paid $2 for the stuff. It often makes it into our church's collection plate with a scribbled note, "for the poor."I don't want to squelch their desire to serve, but I will admit I weary a bit of requests to bake, make lemonade, sew "hankies" (usually embroidered kleenex), you name it, to be sold out of our driveway. Much to their disappoinment, customers are few and far between, and the experience often ends in frustration.
The last few years we've hit upon at least one effective and positive opportunity by volunteering to ring the Salvation Army bell at one of our local retailers. In the past, we've had a prime location at a store with an indoor ringing station. Not so this year. We got Sam's Club. In a blizzard. In North Dakota.
The children were cold and hungry by the end of their service, which made the experience more meaningful (and yes, for Toddzilla, more whiney) than in years past. I hope that even this small attempt to help those in need will become a cherished Advent memory for our family.
2 comments:
Oh, I can so relate to the selling of odd things from the front yard. My kids have done this with coloring pages, bottles of glitter water and the *worst*, pretty leaves. Yes, leaves. From the ground.
I try not to get flustered about it because the intention is so good and holy.
My kids would think the salvation army thing was such fun. You are a brave woman to go out in the elements and ring the little bell. :)
I can relate, too. My kids once sold cups of water. What they learned from this, as they reported, was that "People give you money because you're a kid and they feel sorry for you."
During Advent, we always "adopt" four children, one for each child in our family, from our parish Angel Tree, and we keep the tags on our Jesse Tree until it's time to put them on the gifts. My oldest has used her own money to buy her Angel Tree gifts; I give the youngers a budget.
Now that I think of it (and I feel stupid for not thinking of it before this minute), we ought to be praying for those four children daily, with the rest of our intentions. Something to institute -- today.
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