Cold, Snowy Winter Day
Brr… What a chilly day it is! One of the coldest so far this year for sure. It snowed much of this morning and on and off this afternoon. Figures it would be this cold as today was one of my shifts ringing the bell for the Salvation Army at a local Kroger. Since I’m free during the day and can’t really give financially right now, I decided to give of my time instead. I did a five hour shift today and I have another one on Thursday. May seem like a long time to stand and ring a bell, but wasn’t too bad, really. There was one of those electronic signs at the Walgreens across the road that displayed the time, so the minutes seemed to creep by, but the whole shift went by pretty quickly. It was sure cold though! I had to leave for a bit and put on some more layers. I think the cold weather helped with the donations, as I seemed to get some “pity” donations for standing out in the cold for so long. 
Being the people watcher that I am, it was interesting to watch people as they did or didn’t donate. Most people who donated were older or a parent. To me, these people are thinking and caring more about future generations and helping others, whereas younger people and those without children are more focused on themselves and the present. (This is, of course, a broad generalization and isn’t meant to be derogatory.) It was also heartwarming to see a parent lead the child up to the bucket so the child could drop in some money. Kudos to those parents for teaching there children valuable lessons at a young age.
It was also fun (in that weird sort of way) watching those that didn’t donate. I’ve decided there are a few classes of people that don’t donate. First, there are the Cold Shoulders, those that walk right by without looking you in the eye and don’t return greetings. Then there are the Runners, those who seem to be in the biggest hurry and practically run right by. “No time to donate now! I’ve gotta get some milk!” There are the Dodgers as well, those that start walking in your direction, but once they see you, they go way out of the way to avoid you, going in another door on the other side so they don’t have to be a Cold Shoulder or a Runner. And let’s not forget the On The Way Out people. They see you as they enter the store, toss out a “I’ll give on my way out” and go on their way. On The Way Outers, however, can turn into Dodgers or Cold Shoulders, while some actually do donate in the end. I had some good On The Way Outers today. I don’t think any of them Dodged or Cold Shouldered. Of course, in this mix, there are always some “Already Gavers”, those who say they have already donated at some point in time. A heartfelt “Thanks” goes out to these people, but with that goes a reminder: “Don’t forget that you can donate more than once.”
Please don’t be offended at my tongue-in-cheek look at people in this situation. I’m not judging anyone on whether or not they give to the Salvation Army, or to anyone for that matter, and I realize that each person has their own reasons for giving or not giving, reasons that I don’t know. I’m just being funny relating my experience today.
And a big shout out and thanks to Lori for stopping by with some nice hot chocolate! You’re the best!
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Dec 14th, 2004 at 21:16:57
Bless you son. I think like you although I have never stood out in the cold and rang a bell before, The Lord certainly sees it though. See you at Christmas. Love you
Dec 14th, 2004 at 23:45:57
I am an on-the-way-out person. I ALWAYS give if someone is rining a bell outside the door of the building I am shopping (unless you are at target..where i wont’ shop during Christmas).
If I open my wallet and my smallest bill is a $5, then it goes in. Charity is one of the most important things in this country and I don’t think enough people give time or money to it.
Kudos to your Chris, for spending the time doing that.
Paul
Dec 16th, 2004 at 15:25:23
5 hours!!! sheesh…. you are an amazing man.
Dec 16th, 2004 at 15:58:13
Ugh… I can’t belive you Chris. Please man… Get a job and stop harrassing people that are simply trying to do some grocery shopping. Man, you’re just like the merchants Jesus beat the tar out of and flipped a table over on and cussed out and chased away (not out, they weren’t inside the temple) from the temple. You’re acting just like that. Please… Get a reality check. YOU DON’T REALIZE WHAT YOU’RE DOING!
Dec 16th, 2004 at 19:29:08
Bryan, I have no clue what you’re talking about. All I’m doing is standing outside the store ringing a bell. I’m not shouting, running after people, or doing anything to harrass them. I know you think that the Salvation Army is satanic, but I really don’t care what you think. I think it’s a good cause and I’m gonna help them out. I never have heard your reasoning behind why you think they are satanic…
Dec 17th, 2004 at 13:03:25
Hey Bryan, when you were in the hospital did you ever get any toys or anything? If so those came from the salvation army. I think you probably enjoyed playing with the toys when you were having surgery, I know I did. And remember the better to give then to receive, who is first will be last and last will be first, there are many mentionings of giving….maybe you just skipped over those parts. Probably need to read a little closer there Bryan.
Dec 17th, 2004 at 22:26:59
Look, I know it’s better to give than to receive. I’m at that age where I enjoy seeing someone’s face light up as they open up a gift and see something cool, or that they wanted. Heck, the $100 I got from grandma and grandpa last Christmas I spent on gifts for people’s birthdays and christmas this year and stuff. (like you’re sim golf game David, I had that all year long)The point is, I do give, and enjoy it. But I rarely donate or give money. This is because you can’t trust certin charities and individuals. It’s not that you can’t always trust a charity as a whole, it’s certin individuals within an organization that can do stuff like… “One dollar for the Salvation Army… And one dollar for me” ya know? And, like, I was at Krogers last Friday and the Salvation Army guy there was screaming in you’re ear, and just being obnoxious. I resent them if that’s how they are gonna resort to getting change. Get someone give you money to shut you up. And the Salvation Army does use phyisical force, intemidation, and weapons all the time. IT’S ON THE NEWS ALL THE TIME! Still, Chris, I don’t appreciate someone sitting or standing outside a grocery store ringing a deafening bell incesiently. Or more of.
Dec 18th, 2004 at 13:08:49
ugh… I just posted a comment, but it didn’t post. Guess it was to long.
Dec 18th, 2004 at 13:09:18
Why won’t my comments show?
Dec 19th, 2004 at 03:19:27
Maybe Bryan had one bad experience with someone working for the Salvation Army and thinks the whole organization is just like that person. Or maybe he’s heard a story of one charity misusing funds or a leader having an affair, and thinks that all charities must be bad. It’s sad when people over-generalize like that, thinking the whole is equal to one part. This often happens with Christianity, too. An atheist will see an hypocritical believer and be turned off by their actions not matching their beliefs, thinking that the entire church is that way. I’ll be the first to admit that many Christians can be that way, putting a bad foot forward, but don’t let that affect your opinion of every Christian. Each person is different, and there are still many good hearted people out there. One rotten apple doesn’t mean the whole batch is bad. (This goes for other religions, etc too). Know what I’m saying Bryan? If you doubt what I’m saying, and think that your money isn’t going to where it should, or that the Salvation Army really does push things down people’s throats, then check out their financial statements and website. I believe charities are required to report where the money goes, and I know that they don’t tell their workers to yell at people. When I worked, they simply said to thank the people if they gave. I wasn’t told to ring the bell continuously, or stand on the soapbox and condemn anyone who didn’t give. You must have seen one bad apple (in your eyes) and thought everyone was that way. Still, I can’t believe that you’ve only seen ONE Salvation Army volunteer in all your travels. You’ve had to have seen more at various places before, ones that were all “fire and brimstone” like you described. Or maybe you just notice the the people that yell, and in that case, I guess it’s working, since you don’t notice the others.
Oh, and please, since when does a 14 year old boy get to tell an elder to “get a reality check.” At least get out of high school before you start pulling that garbage.
Dec 19th, 2004 at 12:44:35
This is totally not fair! You’re blocking my IP address. I can’t fight back!