“You don’t have very many kids’ shoes, do you?” she says in a matter of fact voice. While she speaks, she is busy organizing and straightening our children’s’ shoe shelf, which is quite amazing considering that she is 5 years old! Madeline (Maddy) is the youngest of our volunteers, working at Hope House on the last Saturday of the month with her mom. She specializes in organizing all items that have to do with children, particularly books and toys, but today her mind is on the children without shoes, and the unfairness of that.
Maddy has already spent an hour or so putting away some books and toys that came in—some that she herself brought from her own collection. She is picky about the condition of the toys, and books, rejecting those that are dirty, broken or written in. She carefully checks a miniature Etch a Sketch several times, verifying with her mom that it really does still work before she will put it on the shelf. As I sit doing paperwork, she tests little cars and windup toys on the desk to make sure all is well with them. She chats about who will get the toys, whether they will like the color or the character.
But back to the shoes…..Maddy is somewhat distressed about them, so when she has her 6th birthday party in July, she is going to ask her friends to bring shoes for kids instead of gifts for her. At the ripe old age of 5, Maddy already has a wonderful working knowledge of the importance of helping the less fortunate. Thanks to her mom, it is now a given in her life to help others, and I guarantee you, she will always remember Saturdays at Hope House with her mother.
Madeline has already learned the value of a gift given and a gift received. Happy Birthday Madeline!
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