Life According to Kiera: 7 Year-Old Shakedown

Written by Rowonna McNeely – Last Wednesday, I picked Kiera up a few minutes early from school so that she could help us collect donations at KOXE’s Two Stepping For Toys. Once we arrived at the radio station, I explained to Kiera what we would be doing. “We are going to pick a spot beside the road to stand and wave at the people passing by. Some of them will see our signs and will stop and put money in the stocking we are holding for a donation.”

Excited to start, Kiera and I stationed our selves on the corner across from KOXE and beside the bank drive thru. She bounced up and down, waved at people passing by and twirled to the music that was playing. After the first few cars drove by without stopping, she started to get a little disheartened.

“Why aren’t they stopping?” She demanded.

“Well, baby, not everyone can donate. Some people may have already donated or they may not have any money with them.” I gently explained. “It’s ok though. We want to smile and wave at everyone that passes.”

Slightly mollified, she began to twirl and wave again. It also helped that a few cars stopped and dropped off donations to us.

As we waved, I saw a familiar face. “Look, baby!” I pointed at the passing truck. “There’s Mr. Ray!”

Kiera whirled around and began to wave at Ray Tipton, friend and Executive Director for the Brownwood Chamber of Commerce. She frantically pointed at the sign she was holding as he drove by and watched as he turned into the drive-thru section of the bank.

“He didn’t stop.” She stated. “Can I call him?”

“Sure.” I responded, not realizing my child’s intent. I dialed Ray’s number and handed the phone over to Kiera.

He answered the phone and I heard Kiera strongly state, “I was trying to show you we are trying to get money to donate.”

I couldn’t hear Ray’s response and did not know the extent of the shakedown that Kiera attempted to pull until I called him later in the afternoon. This is his account of the conversation.

“Well, I don’t have any money.” He responded.

Not even allowing a pause, Kiera called him out on his stop. “”Well, why are you at the bank?”

Laughing at her quick response, he replied, “Well, it’s not my money.”

Apparently, she was not impressed with that answer as she responded with a simple “Ok…”

“I have a debit card. Will you take a debit card?” He asked.

“No.” She stated.

“What about lollipops? I have lollipops.” He asked teasingly.

“No.” She stated emphatically.

He managed to convince her that he would catch her next time.  I feel fairly certain that she is going to hold him to that.

I think we may have to work on her technique when it comes to approaching friends about donations.

After her phone conversation with Ray, one of the fire trucks drove by on their way back to the station. Kiera stopped and watched them as they turned the corner. She narrowed her eyes at the parting fire truck and Fire Chief Wood driving behind them. “Why didn’t they stop?” She asked with an edge to her voice.

I quietly laughed, thankful at that moment that I didn’t have Chief Wood’s cell phone number stored in my phone. “Baby, they are working and just like Mr. Ray they have probably already donated.”

She stopped frowning at their taillights and nodded her head in acceptance.

We continued to wave and smile at people as they passed by. Suddenly, a gentleman pulled up to the curb and rolled his window down. He began to apologize. “I’m afraid you caught me without any paper money. All I have is some change.”

My first reaction was to cringe. Not because he was giving us change, but because I was slightly terrified that Kiera would attempt to shake him down. I silently said a little prayer as she stepped up beside me and held her stocking out.

The man opened a change bag and dumped all his change into our stocking.

“Don’t apologize!” I replied. “Every little bit helps! We are thankful that you stopped.”

He smiled at us and continued on his way.

I turned to face Kiera and waited for her reaction. It was priceless and it has stayed with her since that moment.

She looked at me, her eyes thoughtful. “He gave us all his money.” She said in disbelief. “He opened his bag and dumped all the change he had in our stocking.”

Gently smiling at her, I said a little prayer of thanks for the moment she had witnessed. This man, who didn’t have a lot, gave everything he had. Not only had he given everything he had, but he also made an impression on a 7 year-old girl.

Thank you to everyone who gave what you could during the Toys for Kids drive and thank you to all who worked tirelessly to make sure toys were distributed.

Kiera and I will work on trying not to shakedown our friends the next time and I will ask Mr. Ray to make a list of all his contributions and service to the community… just in case he drives by Kiera again.

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