FM youngster selling hot chocolate to help others

Seven-year-old Peyton Allen knows exactly what she wants for Christmas and she’s pretty certain her wish will come true. And it is that same surety about the holidays she wants other youngsters to have as well.

After her family adopted four angels a couple of years ago, Peyton decided to adopt seven angels from area agencies this year “so they could have a good Christmas like I do.”

To help cover the gift costs, the lemonade stand aficionado, with a little help from her family, will stand outside this coming Saturday at the corner of Amhearst and Steppington in Flower Mound from noon to 3 p.m. selling cups of hot chocolate for $1 each.

The money will go directly to the adopted angels including a 4-year-old boy and 6-year-old girl from CASA of Denton County, a 6-year-old girl and 11 year-old boy from Lewisville ISD, and other children from Christian Community Action.

And if they have any money left over, the Allen family will simply find more youngsters to adopt for the holidays.

The red, green, blue and pink holiday-decorated hot chocolate stand will be easy to spot for anyone driving by.

Peyton’s dad, Adam, helped cut the plywood and build the stand while Peyton and her grandmother, Robbin “Nona” Allen of Carrollton, handled the artistry.

Heather Allen says she is proud of her daughter’s desire to help others and is busy working on the behind-the-scenes task of ensuring there’s plenty of hot chocolate to serve on Saturday.

Peyton’s older brother, Parker, who is 9, is also going to help his sister when they do the shopping for their adopted angels afterward.

“He’ll pick out the boy toys,” Peyton said, smiling knowingly that she’ll likely be in charge of the girls’ toys as well the clothing portion of the gifts – with Mom’s help, of course.

Peyton and her family also passed out about 65 cards to friends, classmates and neighbors with the hope that people will help make the angels’ holiday wishes come true.

Friends and neighbors are helping with one posting Peyton’s plans on Flower Mound Cares via Facebook while another is donating electricity with an extension cord to keep the hot chocolate hot.

The Allen family, originally from Wylie, have lived in Flower Mound for the past four years – finding a community they feel cares not only about neighbors but also about those less fortunate.

After all, that’s what Christmas is about, the Allen family says.