Monday, November 29, 2010

My Little Army of Difference Makers

My Thanksgiving break started with bell-ringing for the Salvation Army with eight middle school kids at a local grocery store.  When these Difference Makers planned it, some of them got really excited about the idea of taking their musical instruments along, so that they could play Christmas tunes, too! This scared me a little bit, since I had no idea how that would turn out. I decided to go with it, though, and felt better about it when the kids even set up a "rehearsal" session at school a couple of days before we went. Their band teacher was so thrilled with the idea that she stayed after school to help them figure out what they were going to do. I didn't hear them practice. I only knew that they were excited about it and were taking it seriously.

At the last minute, we got a new member (who happened to play the sleigh bells), so he joined our little "band," which also included three clarinets, one trombone, and a tuba. My heart was full, watching those kids bickering a little over what to play first and whatnot, and they finally settled in to a rhythm and played and played and played for almost two hours. Many people we know came to grocery shop and got the added bonus of a mini-concert; there were lots of smiles. Our trombone player got restless now and then and went over to help ring bells. He was so cute; whenever anyone put money in the bucket, he chirped earnestly,

"You're really making a difference! Thank you!"

To be around such enthusiasm, such promise, such hope; it's such a privilege.

25 comments:

  1. The trombone player's reply is the best part of the whole thing. If someone said that to me instead of a thank you when I made a donation, it would make me feel so much more appreciated. He's clever.

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  2. They are wonderful! What a great idea! I never could play without music in front of me. I am amazed.

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  3. This is great! What a difference you're making in their lives...they will never forget this!

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  4. How wonderful that they are so enthusiastic! I know the rest of year is going to go great for you and them

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  5. I love these posts. I smiled the whole time I watched it. :)

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  6. Good for them and good for you! It was fun for us all to see them, even if we didn't get to the store that day!

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  7. Yup. It's Monday morning. And I'm at my desk. Working. Slaving away. reading blogs between tasks. And now?? Smiling.

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  8. You've got such a great group of kids there! Wonderful how enthusiastic they are to help!!

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  9. I admit it. It really did make me smile!

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  10. What a blessing this little group has been to others. God bless you for helpin' them understand how important it is to give back. The rewards are priceless!!! :o)

    Thanks for sharin' sweetie and enjoy your day!!!

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  11. I love that group of kids. SUCH wonderful hearts!!!

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  13. Next stop for this group should be the Jay Leno Show. Great video.

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  14. Awww that's so sweet! These kids are awesome, and how perfect that you're supporting them as faculty. Awesome.

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  15. Totally awesome. They will remember these experiences--and you--forever. :)

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  16. A wonderful thing to do... and possibly the most depressing sounding version of Gloooooria... I've ever heard. I am smiling like crazy over the whole thing!

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  17. that was great - sure hope their classmates are nice about it.
    Brought back memories of my trombone days which were pretty bad. If they had fun and collected some money then more power to them.

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  18. You are awesome! ANd these kids are so incredible.

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  19. Your Difference Makers are a bunch of very cool kids. They are doing some amazing things, and making a true difference in this world. Good for them and good for you!

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  20. Keep posting stuff like this i really like it

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