The Salvation Army bell is ringing. I make a commitment each year to never pass by without at least putting in something.
We are subjected to weather related events nearly every year, and they are always there helping with the recovery. During my years with the telephone industry, they furnished me many cups of coffee and hot chocolate while we were restoring service.
I was walking into one of our Stores and recognized a familiar face swinging the bell. It was one of our Store Managers from another location. When I asked him why. He mentioned how the Salvation Army had helped his Mom through a rough patch when he was a young boy so he repays every year by volunteering.
I donate by check and kettles each year. First on site after tornado in Smithville, MS in 2011. Provided meals, coffee, water, temp shelter for victims and disaster relief workers. In my opinion, number one charity in our area with low overhead expenses.
They will be all over the place here too.
:)
Did you guys hear about their DC office? They had a break in and about $10K was taken.
Bruce
That is sad, and it could have been an "inside job".
SA is our favorite Christmas charity.
I cant pass a bell ringer without dropping something in the kettle. I figure if they can be selfless enough to stand out in the cold and weather, the least I can do is give a couple bucks.
I make it a point to always thank the ringer. Everyone needs to feel appreciated.
I worked with a guy who's wife ran the local YMCA, SA youth hangout place just a big ole combination department sharing expenses and building floor. They did a lot of bell ringing and had one local guy (homeless by choice) everyone called him mountain man (Grizzle Adams look a like.) The guy was always top Donation pot amount. They gave $ to the one who brought in the most, tho no ever keeps it goes back into the pot ;) Anyway the local city Board told them they could not let him ring the bell (two or three years ago now) as he was unstable ::) This after 5 or 6 seasons of him doing it and bringing in almost 2X the next highest ringer. The guy played guitar, sang pretty good and generally put on a show 2 or 3 shifts since he was not "Working" and lived in the "Woods" without taking handouts from "Government" he had to be too unstable to be around a charity??? ??? ::) >:(
I have not seen the guy around but heck lately I kind of resemble him stopped shaving & not cut my hair since I lost the job in Feb :D Feels pretty good to not have to Worry about what OTHER people think ;) I personally toss in some every now and again as the SA is best place to donate to keep it HERE in USA and not spend 96% of the $ coming in on Executive Compensation and advertizing to bring in more $ for the "Operations" of the charity...
Mark
A couple of years ago one of the media outlets researched how much money actually gets to the people who need it. They did it for all the major charities. Salvation Army came in at 95% being put to use, 5% for overheads. Most other charities were at 70% / 30%, and a few were at 30% / 70%.
So yes, I always have something for Sally Ann.