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“Shoppers, we hope you are having a wonderful day. We will be closing early this Christmas Eve at 6PM, one hour from now,” the voice on the speaker said. Michelle and her young son Tommy were picking up a few last-minute items for Christmas day dinner. Twelve-year-old Tommy also had $150 in store gift cards that he collected from past birthdays and holidays. Being somewhat miserly, not necessarily a bad thing for his age, he rarely bought anything but always brought the gift cards “just in case” he found something to buy. “I don’t know if I should use some of my gift card money now or save it,” Tommy questioned. “It’s up to you,” mom said, “you can also spend part of it now and save the rest.” Tommy and Michelle browsed the toy and game aisle that was in disarray from last minute shoppers. “Nothing?” mom asked. “There’s a couple of things I want,” Tommy paused, “but I think I better hold on to the gift cards for now.” “OK,” mom agreed, “let’s head to the checkout up front.” Approaching one of the aisles, Tommy, and then Michelle, stopped. Right in front of him was an endcap display of shiny new drones. “Wow, oh cool,” Tommy beamed, “look at these.” He picked out one of the boxes and examined all sides of the multi-color and eye-catching box. “I don’t know if you are old enough for one of those,” mom wondered, “could be dangerous.” “A couple of friends have them and I have flown them before,” Tommy reassured mom. With a Christmas Eve sale price of $99.97, Tommy calculated in his head how much he would have left of the $150 he has to spend. “Should I get it?” Tommy asked. “It’s up to you,” mom replied, being of no help making up his mind. Tommy agonized over the decision. “That’s it. I’ll get it,” he said, putting the boxed drone into their cart. The checkout line was growing with about 7 people ahead of them. “You will have to get your dad to help you with that drone,” mom asserted. “I know,” he replied and smiled, “I will.” They were down to 2 carts ahead of them. Not far away a man and a woman were talking, close enough so that Tommy and Michelle could hear them. The man had a name badge that read “Store Manager.” “How much have you raised today?” he asked. “Not nearly enough, way short of what we need,” the woman replied. “Our food bank won’t be able to serve all the people who need help. We will make the best of what we have.” “You can keep your donation table up at the entrance as long as you want,” he offered. “Thank you,” she replied. “I better get back out to our table. Merry Christmas.” “Merry Christmas to you too,” he replied. “Mom,” Tommy asked, “what is a food bank?” “They collect food and donations to help other people who are in need,” she explained. “I think this food bank also serves a Christmas dinner to those who are homeless or in a difficult situation,” she added. The checkout line moved and now they were 1 cart away. “I’ll be back in a minute,” Tommy advised her as he grabbed the drone box from the cart. She saw Tommy go back to the aisle endcap that had the drone display. He put the drone back and then headed in the direction of the store manager. “Excuse me, sir,” Tommy said. “Yes, may I help you?” the store manager replied with a smile. “Me and my mom heard you talking to that lady about the food bank,” Tommy said, “and, well, I would like to give you these gift cards to get the things the food bank needs to help people.” The store manager was caught off guard and reflected a moment as he looked at the gift cards. “Wow, that’s $150 here,” he explained, “are you sure you want to do that? Is it ok with your mom?” “Yes, my mom said I can do whatever I want with the money,” Tommy assured him. The store manager picked up a microphone. “Attention shoppers. We will be open a little longer tonight. I have a special request,” he said. “Our local food bank is significantly short on funds and food items this year,” he explained. “Young Tommy here is donating his $150 in gift cards to them.” “I am matching that with another $150 and I invite you to also help if you can,” he continued. “Stop by the food bank table at the entrance. Thank you and Merry Christmas.” A round of applause was heard and Tommy’s eyes widened as he and Michelle smiled. When they got to the cashier, the items Michelle was buying amounted to $84.19. An older man next in line behind them shouted, “I got that! Put her things on my bill.” “Thank you, sir,” mom replied, “you really don’t need to do that…” “It’s no problem,” he interrupted. “Merry Christmas!” Tommy and Michelle stopped near the food bank table on their way out. As the minutes passed, they watched as the line at the table grew. People donated what they could. Shortly before closing, the store manager approached the table. “How did you do tonight?” he asked. “It’s unbelievable, $1849 was donated,” she said, with a tear in her eye. “A Christmas miracle.” “We are about to close,” he said, “but come on in and let’s get what you need for Christmas day tomorrow.” Tommy and Michelle stood there, smiling and happy and content. “You know, Tommy,” mom said, “I am really proud of you and what you did today.” “I never thought my donation would get other people to help the food bank,” Tommy replied. “Never underestimate the power of one small action,” mom explained. Tommy nodded in agreement that he learned a very important lesson this day before Christmas. “You know,” Tommy realized, “I think that was the best thing I ever bought.”
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