The holidays are special for all of us for a variety of reasons. The clang, clang, clang of a bell and a red kettle are apart of the tapestry of memories that make up the Christmas season for me. Now after the two hours of standing out in front of a Walgreen's in Elkhart, Indiana I have more vivid images to associate with the holiday season.
My favorite image was one of my first donors of my shift. The biggest obligation of being a father is teaching your child, and I had a front row seat. Across the parking lot, I watched a dad grab change from his pocket and place in the hand of his son, probably around 4 years old. Side by side, they walked towards my station, and I could see the excitement of the son as he drew closer and closer. I'm not sure who's smile was bigger; dad, mine or the little boy as the change slid off his hand and settled in the bottom of the kettle. The boy had donated pennies, but it was the teaching of giving to others that I have to believe has the potential to pay off with a lifetime of generosity taught by this dad.
Other images of the day were skewed by my marketing mind, as I found myself analyzing the customers and demographic profiles of my donors. The older and more beat up the pick up truck, the more likely the donation from the driver. Worn denim and work boots were also a good sign for a folded dollar or some change making its way into the bucket.
There were additional benefits for me by ringing the bell. That included a chance to say thank you to total strangers that dug deep into their wallets to give a dollar, when they themselves might be trying to figure out how to make their ends meet. I don't know for sure, but I'm pretty well convinced I saw that scenario played out more than once during my shift.
Lucky for me the temperatures for early December were above normal. I had prepared for frosty conditions, but was treated with near 50 degree weather. More than a few hearts were melted by a simple "hello", "have a great day" and "Merry Christmas" which I offered up to all that passed by. During my interactions with passer-bys, you get the sense sometimes that saying have a nice day to someone is the only positive words and interaction some are having in their life.
Ringing a bell and filling the kettle has deep trandition for the Salvation Army, dating back to 1891. According to the Salvation Army, the typical kettle raises $30 per hour with an active bell ringer. The money raised helps people within your community that otherwise might not have a hot meal, a warm bed or an opportunity to rise up from their situation.
For the rest of the holiday season, I think one of the saddest things I will see will be an unmanned red kettle stand in front of a store. No bell to grab your attention, no opportunity to donate and someone missing out on the chance to watch the residents of your community at their very best, donating their hard earned money and creating smiles, memories and a sense of community for all.
I'm sure every Salvation Army still needs bell ringers. For a large section of the US, you can visit http://www.ringbells.org and get signed up. For those reading in Elkhart where I was lucky enough to volunteer, visit http://elkhartin.volunteerfirst.org.
Merry Christmas!
