Character: making the decision to do what is right, even if there is no chance of being caught.

Recently Chellee and the girls were shopping at Wal-Mart. As they loaded the car, Miranda noticed a small roll of money laying on the ground next to the car.  Without hesitation, Miranda insisted on turning it in.  It was just a five and three one’s but the clerk at the desk seemed surprised, saying, “Thank you for being so honest.”

As Chellee told me the story, I thought back about the time Chellee found twenty dollars at Target and turned it in. Target has a policy that if it is not claimed in two weeks they will give it to you………and they did.

The next time I consider returning a VCR to Wal-Mart after two years of use and operator error damages, I with think about Miranda and her example of character.

Chellee told Miranda that she could have put the money in her pocket and no one would have ever known.  Miranda said, “but I would have known.”

I told my Dad this story and he wrote back this note:

Thanks! Isn’t it great to witness your children maturing and evidencing signs of displaying the traits you so earnestly wish for their character. These little “evidences” don’t come about by accident…they come from parents who model such character traits in front of their children.

- Randy Hill, Texas Entrepreneur

Character: making the decision to do what is right, even if there is no chance of being caught.

Recently Chellee and the girls were shopping at Wal-Mart. As they loaded the car, Miranda noticed a small roll of money laying on the ground next to the car.  Without hesitation, Miranda insisted on turning it in.  It was just a five and three one’s but the clerk at the desk seemed surprised, saying, “Thank you for being so honest.”

As Chellee told me the story, I thought back about the time Chellee found twenty dollars at Target and turned it in. Target has a policy that if it is not claimed in two weeks they will give it to you………and they did.

The next time I consider returning a VCR to Wal-Mart after two years of use and operator error damages, I with think about Miranda and her example of character.

Chellee told Miranda that she could have put the money in her pocket and no one would have ever known.  Miranda said, “but I would have known.”

I told my Dad this story and he wrote back this note:

Thanks! Isn’t it great to witness your children maturing and evidencing signs of displaying the traits you so earnestly wish for their character. These little “evidences” don’t come about by accident…they come from parents who model such character traits in front of their children.

- Randy Hill, Texas Entrepreneur

Our oldest daughter, Miranda, is in 5th grade at Clyde Intermediate School.  This sign represents two years of fundraising projects that the students worked on.  When we talk about “school pride” and teaching our children the values of hard work and saving money, what better way can you express school pride than to see what we were able to witness on Friday at the unveiling ceremony.  Friday just also happened to be my birthday so I appreciate the fun note on the sign.

This is something special.  The kids at Clyde Intermediate worked hard for two years to raise the money for a new school sign.  All those kids got to experience the benefits that come from hard work and setting goals … and reaching those goals.  We at APT Advanced Trailer were blessed to be involved with this project in a small way as well.  But make no mistake – this sign was the result of some hard work by these kids and a great way they could give back to their school.

I also feel fortunate that Miranda was able to learn something from this experience as well.  Its something that I saw my Dad do over and over again – giving!

- Randy Hill, Texas Entrepreneur