Pennies for your smile

I love penny sales! They are such fun to me and today I can honestly say I had fun!! Here in the Co-op where I live we are fundraising for upgrades to our playground. I am involved in a number of the committees here and the fundraising committee is probably closest to my heart. Having children who use the playground frequently and a young one up and coming, it is a worthy cause, in my mind. We have Penny Sales from time to time here and I have joined in the run of them because I love them so much. We had so many wonderful donations and the price of tickets is right!! Toys and bath sets, knitted items and wine, food baskets and gift certificates, jewellery and games, candles and clothing.... we had it all!
Aidan, Colin and I arrived to help sell tickets and Aidan remembered the drill. This would be his third Penny Sale, he was a pro. You buy your tickets and break them all up into a little cup, make the rounds of the tables to see what is available to be won and consider your wishlist. Walk back through and drop your tickets in the cans and save some for later when you can walk around again!! Oh yes, Aidan had his wish list! He was excited throughout the afternoon especially whenever one of his friends would come in to walk the tables.
A couple of hours passed and we all gathered back for the draw.... can you handle the excitement?? I managed to win once, a manicure set. My favourite things went home with someone else, maybe next time! But the real highlight for me was of course watching Aidan's experience! He was able to manage his own ticket stubs and waited with anticipation for his win. When the first of the toys went by without his number being called he was a little worried. Let's face it, so was I!! I thought, please, let him win SOMETHING, so I do not have to take home a disappointed child. He clapped for me when I won and was truly excited for me too. Then it happened, Aidan cleaned up!!! He won three times and became the life of the room (at least to me). He jumped up and down and grinned from ear to ear, so happy for his winnings. People congratulated him and he was so proud! Being in the Winner's circle is a good feeling, you know. The entire day cost me $10.00 but I would have paid ten times that for the smiles on my sweet boy's face!