"Since you don't want to be disturbed, I'll just make myself scarce."
"I've still got some fireworks in my trunk. Do you girls want to set them off?"
Without waiting for an answer, Waylon ordered his men to unload the fireworks and leave them for Claire.
Claire was speechless. With this many fireworks, were they supposed to be out here all night?
She turned to Yara and the others. "Do you guys want to light these?"
Yara shook her head. "No thanks. I'm practically starving from all the fireworks we already set off."
They had just finished their own supply. She was far too exhausted to start on someone else's.
"Then what do we do with all this?"
Claire frowned.
Yolande chimed in with a bright idea. "When I volunteer at St. Jude's Children's Home, the kids there never get to play with fireworks. How about we donate these to them?"
"They probably aren't allowed to set them off at the orphanage either, unless we bring all the kids out to the suburbs."
Claire realized that the Lantern Festival was just around the corner.
If they could bring the kids out here to watch fireworks for the festival, they would be absolutely thrilled.
"Why don't we organize a bigger donation and spend the Lantern Festival with the kids at the orphanage?"
Quinn was incredibly moved by Yolande's suggestion.
She felt it was a deeply meaningful cause.
Even though Yara and Jules were young and a bit prideful, they had good hearts and eagerly agreed to the plan.
The group quickly ironed out the details: those with money would donate, and those with skills would volunteer their time.
"I can set up a free clinic at the orphanage," Claire volunteered.
"I can cater the food and help the kids make traditional festival treats." Yolande had
the funds, and she was already a familiar, beloved face among the children.
The kids absolutely adored her.
Quinn announced she was joining in, too.
Yara and Jules naturally didn't want to be left out.
However, Quinn was hesitant about Jules participating. "Jules, you have your SATS coming up. You shouldn't waste your study time. The rest of us can handle it."
Yara was a year younger, only a junior, so she could easily take a day off to help.
Seb was also prepping for his SATs, and Yolande didn't want him getting distracted either.
Seb nodded agreeably, though internally he plotted to bake some desserts for the kids anyway.
"Are we only focusing on St. Jude's?"
They debated the logistics with mounting excitement.
Claire, however, thought it would be much more impactful if the Churchill family spearheaded the initiative. They could focus on one location while utilizing the family's official charitable foundation.
The foundation made massive donations every year, but they typically just threw money and
supplies at problems they raremet
thought of organizing something as Joyous as a fireworks show for the kids.
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Still, funneling more resources to the orphanages for the festival was definitely doable.
They couldn't bring every single orphan out to the suburbs for a massive display, but they could definitely hand out sparklers for them to enjoy safely on the grounds.
Their discussion grew animated and passionate all thanks to Waylon's unexpected, albeit awkward, gift.
"Claire, I'm starving. Can we get something to eat?"
It was the middle of the night, but they were far too buzzed on adrenaline and altruism to sleep.
They weren't tired in the slightest, just incredibly hungry.
Seeing how famished everyone looked, Claire agreed to a late-night run.
However, she wasn't very familiar with the dining scene in Cabinda.
With the holidays in full swing, most restaurants were shut tight. She had to rely on
the locals to find a spot that was actually open.
Yara confidently took the lead, guiding them to a late-night joint.
It was a bustling, lively spot that served up barbecue ribs and hot bowls of soup.
Even at this hour, the place was packed with a loud, energetic crowd.