Zach, Abby and I spent the morning volunteering at the Salvation Army's back-to-school backpack drive. I'd hoped it would be a meaningful experience they would relate to, especially since we'd just finished shopping for their own school supplies. Despite the sweltering heat, Abby and Zach worked very hard lugging boxes of supplies up and down several flights of stairs and packing backpacks for kids who might otherwise not get them.
When we first got there Zach asked me, "Now, what are we doing here, Mama?" I explained and then he asked, "But *why* don't the kids have stuff for school?" I explained again, and then a little light bulb went off. From that moment on, he was in high gear. Any time someone offered to help with a box he'd say, "I can do it." He worked like a little machine, specifically choosing backpacks that he thought little boys would like. Zach was drenched in sweat by the time we left. He and Abby worked for three solid hours without a break.
The drive took place at our local ABC affiliate's station, so there were cameras around all day. (Abby ended up on the 6 o'clock news.) Several local businesses donated to the event, including Sweet and Sassy, a company that gives little girls makeovers. The company delivered four *singing* Disney princesses in a hot pink stretch limo bearing their company logo, which, of course, they parked right in front of the cameras. Not only did they "make over" some of the 9-year old girls who were volunteering, they sprayed their hair, faces, arms and necks with body glitter and noxious scents like "cotton candy" and "cupcakes".
I would not have prevented Abby from joining in, but she repeatedly passed the garrish display of self-promotion by as she was lugging school supplies from the outdoor drop-off point. When I told her she could take a break for a makeover, she said with a crinkled face, "Nah. I don't want to. That's not why we're here."
Abby, I could not be more proud of you.
No comments:
Post a Comment