From the mouths of babes

This week’s story is spun from something that has been brought to my attention.

 Keep in mind this week’s story is solely for the purpose of the child involved in all this. Trust me, you will either love it or hate it. Again trust me, there’s no “in-between” with  this one.

This past week, I received a knock on my door. I looked through the peephole and saw a small child standing with a pamphlet in hand. Without hesitation, I opened the door and asked what they needed.

“Mr. Bolton, would you be interested in buying something from me?” the child asked, eyes twinkling. “I hope I can sell to five more people. If I do, I‘ll get to go to the mega party.”

“What happens if you don’t?” I asked with a serious tone.

What he said next floored me. A smile turned into a serious frown as he said, “I won’t get to go to the party. I’ll have to sit on the side and watch the other kids have fun. Hopefully, my mom and dad will buy some things so I can go. It just depends upon how their payday will be.”

Don’t get me wrong. I understand 100-percent that schools have to have funding. I’m not disputing that, because education is so very important--no questions asked. Also, I’m not discouraging anyone from buying fundraising items. Any way we can be good Samaritans and help our schools in any way is always good.

However, I couldn’t help but wonder something. If that child didn’t meet his sales quota, he’d have to hear that all his hard work was merely in vain and he wouldn‘t be rewarded in any fashion. I know, because I’m speaking from experience.

When I was a child selling fundraising items, there were times I didn’t meet my quota and I never got to participate in anything. I felt like I wasn’t good enough and like I was less of a hard worker, even though I put forth a valiant effort.

To those creators of these fundraisers- did you ever think about the kids who are unable to meet their sales quotas? Those kids who really try to sale their hearts out, but get turned down. Then, when they don’t meet their goal, they’re told that they can’t participate in the fun of others who worked just as hard as they did.

How about the parents, teachers and array of adults who buy things from these children? They don’t want to let their kids down. Because we support these children with our purchases, it would be nice to hear how much money was raised and where it all went. Not saying it doesn’t go where it should, but I’d love to know where my money made a difference. I’m not hating; just wondering.

You may not agree with this week‘s story, and I respect that. Everyone’s entitled to his or her own feelings. However, if anyone does have a problem with this week’s story, don’t dispute my words.

Instead, look into the eyes of those kids who’ve worked very hard to meet his and her quota, and tell them they can’t participate in parties or get rewarded because they‘re efforts weren‘t good enough. When you see the evident disappointment, then you’ll understand.

This week’s story’s main agenda was too mainly to remind us just how wonderful a child’s true effort really is. Kids are never “not good enough.” Instead, they’re more than we give them credit for. And remember, be nice to kids. They aren’t only our future, but they’ll also decide ours one day without exception.