Sunday, December 2, 2012


"ANOTHER SECRET DOOR?"

At Granny’s House, it’s the season of the “Secret Door.” It’s all gift-wrapped and adorned with a great big red bow. Locked tight to shield it’s content from all those curious little eyes at Granny’s House. It’s the “Christmas Store.”

The Christmas Store at Granny’s House is a place where kids can go to shop for a glitzy bracelet for mom, fuzzy slippers for grandma, some dominos for dad, or perhaps a pocket planner for a favorite teacher. Many kids can hardly wait to show up on that last day of school before the holidays with a gift all wrapped up just for their teacher. For some, this will be a first.

At Granny’s House, we set up “Stores” as one of the many ways we mentor the kids in being givers and providers: a store for KAA Kamp gear, one for Christmas gifts, and one for personal items, like toiletries and socks, games or toys etc.

Our stores afford the kids opportunities to work hard for the things they want and need in life. No handouts here – just kids who step up to the plate to give rather than get.  It helps kids link “Provision” with “Hard Work” in their hearts and minds - an invaluable life lesson that will bear precious fruit for the rest of their lives!

And, how much money do they bring to the store? Actually, the kids purchase every item in the store with points, not money. For months now, Granny’s House kids have been earning points by doing chores around Granny’s House: serving in the dining room, picking up trash in the front yard, tidying up the “Learning Loft” (homework room), helping with administrative tasks in the office etc. Our eager shoppers learn that hard work pays off AND blesses the ones they love!

So what have we been collecting and hiding behind that Secret Door? Bobbles and bangles, and candles and scarves… gloves, and slippers, tool kits, and totes. Just about anything a kid might want to give their mom, dad, grandma, or teacher.


On December 10th and 11th, they’ll gather at the “Secret Door,” points in hand, lists on their minds, and with the help of volunteers and staff, they’ll spend their points to do their Christmas shopping for ones they love… Tune in in a couple of weeks to see just how they choose to spend those precious points at our wonderful Christmas Store!