Monday, February 12, 2007

My Little Salesman

Sullivan came home last week all excited about a fundraiser his school is hosting for the American Heart Association. He gets to Jump Rope for Heart, and by securing sponsors, not only can he collect money for the American Heart Association, he has the opportunity to win some -- in his words -- "REALLY cool stuff". You know just the "stuff" I'm talking about ... a cheap plastic water bottle, a cheap plastic flashlight, a cheap plastic swim radio, and the much coveted "voice changer". He's in seven-year-old heaven just thinking about these treasures. I know, I know ... it's for a good cause.

Anyway ... on Sunday he decided he wanted to visit our neighbors and ask them to sponsor him in the Jump Rope for Heart event. We reviewed his spiel and it went something like this:

"Hi. I'm Sullivan. My school is holding a Jump Rope for Heart event to raise money for the American Heart Association. Would you like to help by sponsoring me?"

After several attempts, he had the script down pretty well. I told him I'd take him out Sunday afternoon to visit the neighbors. While I was getting ready to go to a friend's house, Sullivan, aka Mr. Independent, talked his Dad into letting him go out on his own. He was given permission (note: not by me) to visit the neighbors who live on our cul-de-sac -- and yes, they all know him. As I was preparing to leave, I noticed that the Jump for Heart brochure was lying on the counter, along with the collection envelope for the American Heart Association. I asked Michael about it and he said Sullivan had just grabbed a plastic ziploc sandwich bag to collect the money. MEN!?!?!?

Just then, Sullivan came bounding in, smiling ear-to-ear at his success. Seems in just 10 minutes or so, he'd collected $35 from our neighbors. When I asked who had donated, he had a hard time remembering names and amounts. His little lip started to quiver when he realized he was supposed to have taken the envelope with him to record names and donation amounts, but we assured him that his dad would make the rounds with him again to help him collect all the information.

I was astounded that people were giving so willingly considering his questionable collection method. He must be quite the salesman! I asked him to pretend that I was the next door neighbor so he could share with me what he was telling them. Here it is, verbatim:

"Hi. I'm Sullivan. Can you give me some money to jump rope?"

His delivery needs a little work.
It's a good thing he's so adorable.

6 comments:

Leslie said...

I'm laughing so hard right now....hee hee. What a Great Saleman he is. You need to write this one down in his baby book.

Thanks for the laugh, it's just to cute.
Leslie

Jennifer said...

ADORABLE! He is so funny. Is it too late to sponsor him now? Tell him I'll give him $10 to jump rope for me...and $15 if he does it on one foot!!!!

Mom 2 six said...

Hello-I just scoped out your site. What a beautiful family. Oakley is precious. We just returned home in July with Mia-Faith from Zhangzhou. I read your post on bonding/attachment. Mia was in the orphange her entire life and 21 months when we got her. If you would like to chat about her behavior/reaction to us just send me a note. I hope you get to bring Oakley home soon !!
www.waalafamily.blogspot.com

Mom 2 six said...

PS-I just wanted to share that we did got our disp. camera back. Along with the outfit Mia was found in, some early pictures of her and her original finding picture. They are pricless items...

Tao's Mommy said...

Hi Jana,
Seen your post on one of the "groups" the other day. I'm going to look through your blog now, but wanted to say CONGRATS on your referral of Oakley. She is beautiful!!! I'm going to email you too!!

All 4 My Gals said...

HEE HEE HEE, Ofcourse they would give him money! :) He's your son after all, cute, smart and compelling! Love you guys!