Today was an extraordinary day, the kind that made me rethink previously held beliefs on commercialism, retailing and whether or not things happen by accident.
I have been collecting gently used backpacks for an organization called the Aspire.Inspire Foundation. This began when I went to hack my way through my basement for a little pre-season cleaning.
We had many backpacks collecting dust down there. Sure, some had sentimental value, there was the bright blue one that I took with us to Disney, big enough to fit my Unofficial Guide to Disney, my clipboard with each day's itinerary on it, my notations on the best places to eat in Epcot and maps highlighted with the restrooms in each "land". My daughter's bright orange one personalized with her travel soccer number made me smile. But really, they had to go.
A few minutes of google-time revealed many organizations and I chose Aspire.Inspire after a couple of emails back and forth. I put a plastic bin in the lobby of the local elementary school and sent a request through the school's newsletter. There, that's done.
Today, I was in Nordstoms, exchanging a pair of Uggs when I checked out the sale table in the tween section. Three pink and purple Roxy backpacks sat regally, marked down from $32.00 to $19.99. I asked the salesgirl if they could be marked down again and I would buy all three.
She price checked one first and her eyes widened. What?? They were not supposed to sell them now, they were meant for The Rack (discounted Nordstroms) but apparently they didn't get out in time. They were a penny apiece.
Looking this gift horse directly in the mouth, I went back over to the table and grabbed 10 adorable satchel type bags and asked her to price check. Same!! I had tears in my eyes, I was so happy for this luck. Those were not backpacks, but surely needy kids could use them similarly. I felt that Suzy was going to jump out any minute with her video camera.
I spent 13 cents and did not even get mad when the evil machine used to pay for parking rejected my $5 bill three times and the third time I pulled it out in ripped in two.
