Dollar Store

Each kid was given $15 and a few hours in The Dollar Store/Wal Mart. First off, I want you to imagine what your kids would have bought at the Dollar Tree with $15. Candy? Toys? Probably some of the same things my kids bought. Now imagine this image. Mike, who may not a have a single toy in this world to his name, buys his house parent a multi-tool screwdriver, his brothers and roommates some little trinkets, and his grandfather a jug of laundry detergent - he says his grandfather has never used laundry detergent before. He spent $3 of his $15 on himself - sunglasses and a squirt gun. You might be thinking that Mike is an exceptional kid, which he is, but not one of the 9 kids spent more than half of their money on themselves. But here is the kicker - they had a BLAST doing it.

The $3 that these kids spent on themselves led to an entire afternoon's worth of waterfight that was a delight to watch. Knowing that these kids put others before themselves made the joy on their faces even that much more joyful.