All that glitters is good for 7-year-old Rooney Weidemann.
“Glitter makes everything better,” the second-grader says.
Rooney’s voice is measured with compassion as she recounts a particular day last winter when her mother, Erin, was exhausted by caring for Rooney’s newborn sister, Roxanne.
“She was stressed,” says Rooney, seated next to Erin in their Montana home. With a gentle smile she continues, “I wanted to do something for my mom, something to help calm her. So, I got glitter [and] a Mason jar and filled it with water and put in some colorful beads. I took it over to my mom and I asked her to shake it. It calmed her down right away.”
From there, Rooney determined she needed to do the same thing for others. Her sparkly snow globes were born, jump-starting an entrepreneurial journey of generosity. An initial $57.12 investment from her grandfather ballooned into a $183 profit. She sells her treasures for $10 during family gatherings and community fundraisers around the holidays (see her instructions for snow globes below).
“While I was making the snow globes, I felt really good,” says Rooney. “Then I started to sell them. Now that made me really happy.”
She used the money to gift goats and sheep through the World Vision Gift Catalog. She’s dedicated to sending hope to families in need.
“Being generous and kind and living your life by taking care of the needs of others is important,” says Rooney. “It’s healing to help someone in need. I am really happy when someone I know is really happy.”
Rooney says kids aren’t too young to create change and be an inspiration to their family, community, and beyond.
She’s learning from her parents.
Erin and her husband, Brent, stress the importance of modeling Christ-like behavior, teaching and training Rooney to live well and give generously. The family also sponsors Andrea in Honduras through World Vision. Through child sponsorship, Erin says, they’re able to live out their values and empower Rooney to care for and love other children around the world.
“It starts with us,” says Erin. “Our home should reflect what we value — kindness, peace, and generosity. And does our home reflect love?” The author of 12 books, including the bestselling Bible Belles series, “The Adventures of Rooney Cruz,” Erin is also a guest speaker for World Vision.
“God has added so much blessing and favor to our family,” she says. “Now, at home, can I help my child have a mindset that is open to generosity, kindness, love, and sharing? The answer is yes, and that’s the gospel. That is our constant conversation in our home — keeping the gospel at the forefront.”
With that, Rooney affirms: “Amen!”
Make your own snow globe:
Materials
- Mason jar with lid
- Superglue
- Miniature figurine(s)
- Cold water
- Glitter
- Glycerin
Directions
- Glue the figurine(s) to the inside of the jar’s lid. Set aside and let dry.
- Fill the jar with cold water, leaving some room at the top.
- Add about 2 teaspoons of glitter and stir.
- Add a few drops of glycerin.
- Once the glue on the lid is dry, screw the lid onto the jar. If there’s a big air bubble, carefully remove the lid and add a bit more water. You can also glue the lid closed if you’re concerned about anyone opening it.
- Shake and enjoy!
