As a few of you may recall from the past, I am involved with Big Brothers/Big Sisters. My little brother is Chase. He’s 13, brilliant, curious, and doesn’t have a lot in common with me. While seeking common ground, I showed him my chip collection. He seemed interested, so after a few weeks I had an idea.

Last week, I picked Chase up at school, and gave him a couple of Halloween chips I had as traders. I told him these were his, and asked if he’d like to cash them in or start a collection. He said he’d like to collect. So I took him to the Gambler’s General Store and bought him some basics. I then told him that I had to go to the Las Vegas Club to buy some Halloween chips. I told him that as far as I knew, I was only allowed 5 chips. But if they let me buy 5 for him, we could go in business together.

Lo and behold, I said “we’ll take 10,” the cashier sold me 10 chips. I told Chase 5 were mine as traders, and 5 were OURS to trade or sell. If we trade them or sell on ebay, he and I will split the profit after I get my money back.

Chase had been asking me for months if I know of any jobs for him. I am now showing him how business works. He’s torn between wanting money back and wanting to trade for his collection.

I bring this all up so if any of you see me with a kid at Renee’s show, say hi to Chase, and ask to see his chips. He doesn’t have many, but he loves the hobby.

Thanks for being the kind of club I can bring him into.

Al