Sunday, March 2, 2014

Kids Learning Life Lessons

You may have heard about 13-year-old Danielle Lei who sold 117 boxes of Girl Scout Cookies in one day. She and her mother set up her table outside of a San Francisco medical marijuana clinic. It prompted other states, like the Colorado Girl Scouts administration, to prohibit cookie sales outside an adult oriented store. The incident made national news and became a buzz on social media. Many people were appalled that Danielle’s parents would expose their daughter to people taking drugs.
Danielle’s mother, Carol, responded that each year she has her daughters set up shop at various points around San Francisco so they can learn about different environments while earning some cash. The day before this incident Danielle had been selling cookies at Safeway grocery store. Carol thought this location outside the clinic might be a good way to start a conversation about drugs and how some people use marijuana as medicine while others just to get high.
When I was a kid I went door-to-door selling Girl Scout Cookies. Our parents weren’t “allowed” to take them to work to coerce their office mates into buying them. My friends and I said that girls who had parental assistance were cheating. I was reminded of those days when the doorbell rang today and I opened it to see a young boy with a manila envelope full of money.
Our 9-year-old neighbor told Tim and me that his grade school is raising money for field trips, to buy school supplies and uniforms. Tim remembered when he went door-to-door to collect payment for newspapers he delivered while I recalled my cookie selling days.
Today’s gift was to give him money for the school raffle. He told me that he was very proud that he already raised $45. He said he could win a Kindle Fire if he sells the most tickets.
Then, off he went on his scooter with a big smile on his face. Danielle and he are both learning valuable lessons in sales skills as well as life lessons.
In Giving,

Robin

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