Surprises

We have shown our oldest a lot of footage from New Orleans, and talked about it with him a few times. We especially drove home the point that many of these people had lost everythnig they owned.

On Shabbos, at lunch, he announced that he was going to raise money for the people who were victims of the hurricane, by going door to door and collecting cans and bottles over Labor Day vacation. Then he would turn in the cans, and send the money to Katrina victims. (In Michigan we get 10 cents for every bottle)

At times alone, and at times with a friend or his brother, he went knocking on our street, and a few of the surrounding streets, asking people for their bottles and cans. By Monday night, he had collected over 800 cans and $10 in cash, raising over $90.

What is most impressive is that he did it during his own time, when he could have been sitting around, playing ball, reading or doing any one of a number of things. He came up with the idea on his own, after reading a book where some kids collected bottles to save a dog.

I am not sure if he has decided which charity to give the money to, but I think he wants to give it to the Jewish community of New Orleans.