The Sharing Tree

Each year Grannie takes the kids to go do some work at Papa’s stores and then they use the money to buy gifts for those in need.  Read Stephanie’s blog post below to see the details about their experience.  I am including it on our blog so we have a record of it.  Thanks Stephanie!

Town Hall Blog – The Sharing Tree
by Stephanie Hall

Every year at Christmas time my mom takes the older grandchildren out for a day of service and giving back. They start with a solid couple hours of manual labor at one of my Dad's Papa Murphy's Pizza stores. They have the privilege of scraping cheese off the walls, cleaning dishes and scrubbing the floors. They each earn some money doing their work that will be contributed to the giving that comes later in the day.

Here is Grannie with Travis- our fearless Papa Murphy's leader!

Let me just say that as a mother of children who all possess differing levels of desire and work ethic, it deeply warms my heart to see my Emma doing this work.

Once the work was done, Grannie and the kids spent plenty of time choosing several hearts from the sharing tree at the mall to purchase gifts for with the money they'd earned.

Aren't those little worker bees a cute bunch?

Alice and Tyler choose some Legos for a little boy on the list.

Cate selected a shirt for a dad on the list.

After the shopping extravaganza was over a stop a The Cheesecake Factory was in order for those hungry little elves.

Alice and Grannie couldn't eat another bite!

I want to make sure I give a shout out to my parents (especially my mom) who makes this service opportunity happen each year. She and my dad are wonderful examples to their grandchildren. We are all so grateful to have the both of them in our lives.

**I keep re-reading this post trying to make it funnier (I know, bad english), but it is hard to make service funny, especially when I didn't even participate in the service! So, I guess I'll leave it at heartwarming and sweet, because that is really what it's all about, right?**

 

Great work Stephanie on the blog post!