Gift and giver

There was a pasta and chicken fundraiser held this week to raise funds for some needed renovations. We've had a number of breakfasts but this was the first supper that's been held here for quite some time. The turnout was more than satisfactory. There was a good mixture of people ... from the elderly to the young children and the mixture of voices was like a chorus of haphazardly placed notes which together combine to form a symphony.

All those who were here enjoyed the meal and it wasn't long before the desserts were all gone, and the plates had been licked clean, but before the party broke up there were thank-you's to be issued and winners to be announced. The prizes, two gifts which had been donated, were distributed as door prizes ... and then there were the proceeds of the 50-50 draw. Adults in the crowd were no stranger to the concept of 50-50 - half the proceeds from the sale of tickets would be returned as the prize, but it was the look on the faces of the children that was the most precious.

As it turned out, the winner was a young boy who promptly decided how he wanted to use at least some of the proceeds - to treat his family and close friends to some ice cream. 'The desserts were all gone,' he said, 'before I got there, and I'm sure that none of you got any either, so I'll treat'.

This was definitely a case of actions speaking louder than words because the first thing he wanted to do was share his new-found fortune. Some more experienced children would do well to learn a lesson or two from this experience ... about how to win graciously and to share the spoils with those we love.

As for the rest of the proceeds ... they will be invested wisely by his mother.