Red Pots & Bells ~ drop it in or walk on by? (house, how much)
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Red pots and bell ringers so what do you do at this time of year? I remember as a kid they were everywhere in the city, but now a days it seems like they hit some of the major store areas only. Cold snowy days and nights they would be on the streets ringing the bells.
Myself I don’t hesitate to drop in a few dollars when I walk by. I can’t help be feel that it may help someone else who needs it more then I do. However I do see many people for one reason or another walk on by.
To me this is just as much a part of Christmas time that I remember and I enjoy seeing them out there ringing the bell and helping those who are in need. The Salvation Army is one of the few associations or organizations that do the work of helping those in need all year long.
I have noticed a decrease in them over the years too. Probably something to do with it not being politically correct or some garbage
Anyway, I don't usually give to that particular charity too much. I do donate alot of household stuff and clothing to the salvation army or purple heart a few times a year.
After Christmas I make my kids go through all the gifts they get, I let them keep about half of the stuff, I know it sounds harsh, but between Santa, my extended family and my in-laws, the get way too much stuff ~ so they pick what they want to keep the most and the rest of the gifts get packed up, along with some personal purchases I make at Toys R Us and I mail them to St. Jude Children's Hospital in Memphis. This is my favorite charity.
I donate most of my money to Catholic Relief Services on a monthly basis. The money supposedly goes to local food shelters, the poor, emergency relief, disaster, etc... I sure hope it does.
I'm a sucker for charities, anytime someone is collecting for one I always give. I just joined/volunteered at St. Vincent De Pauls. They haven't given me an assignment or called me up yet. Anyone done charity work for them?? What was it?
To me this is just as much a part of Christmas time that I remember and I enjoy seeing them out there ringing the bell and helping those who are in need. The Salvation Army is one of the few associations or organizations that do the work of helping those in need all year long.
AND, I have never seen the head of any Salvation Army branch that drove a new car........they arent siphoning off the money.....
We've had a number of incidents of people robbing the buckets. Even more common are people out there ringing a bell and holding a bucket in a santa suit... that have no connection whatsoever to the Salvation Army. One of them the police was called on just the other night that was standing outside of the Giant by my house... yikes. Where's YOUR money going? hehe... So here lately, no... I walk on by. I am a charitable person, a dollar from me doesn't break my bank...a dollar from everyone in the world wouldn't break the bank.. but think how much that adds up to?
I don't have a lot of money, so instead of giving it away blindly, I generally stick to making drive-bys at the dunkin donuts and passing out hot cocoa to the regular homeless guys on the streets when it starts to get cold.
I too drop a few bucks in the Salvation Army pots. The thought is greater to me that this money WILL be put to good use than the thought that it will not be. The Salvation Army is a wonderful charity and I've also donated my time on occasions to help out when certain circumstances arise and they are needing extra hands. Even though my family does celebrate Christmas in the customary way in terms of exchanging gifts, I also like to go to the grocery store and buy staple items and maybe a couple of nice turkeys, bag it all up and drive to the local senior citizens apartment complex and just randomly go to the doors of a couple of them and give them the packages. My little random act of kindness. I get a lot of pleasure out of seeing their faces and feeling their gratitude. Many of them cannot get to the grocery store unless they rely on someone else to take them. Many of them are too feeble to stand in line at the grocery store anyway. I also help out with Meals on Wheels, so I know who the most needy ones are. To me...sharing what I've been blessed with is the greatest gift I can give AND receive.
Last edited by kittytoes2006; 11-30-2007 at 07:22 AM..
Reason: add
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