Every December our Kiwanis club volunteers to help out 'Sals' and ring bells for cash donations. I was concerned this year that it might be uncomfortable to watch people pass us by as the economy has people living pretty close to the edge. As is true anytime I volunteer for something I was pleasantly surprised by the generosity from the masses. We were stationed outside a Wal-Mart store in Red Wing - a place I rarely frequent. There is nothing special about the people that shop at Wal-Mart except they all have a similar look. Too many thin coats, no gloves, sweat pants, old tennis shoes, threadbare hooded sweatshirts etc. However, it was the same people who generously filled the kettle with their change and dollar bills - lifting their children to put change in while thanking me for standing outside on a cold night.The money that goes in those kettles helps to provide shelter, food, home visits, rehabilitation, thrifts shops, and elder and children services. The money stays in our community and assists families that are in the 'working poor' category.Interestingly, I headed out to Treasure Island Casino after my two hour shift and danced for 5 hours - yep 5 hours! That's another story and boy was it fun! I haven't been at the casino in a few years and it sure didn't look like we are in a recession based on the mass of humanity gambling their hard earned money away. While I didn't put a single nickel in a slot machine - I was struck that the people smoking, drinking and gambling looked like the same people who had a couple hours before walked through the Wal-Mart doors. Are they gambling away the mortgage money? Smoking up the grocery money? I'll make no judgment, but it was a bit troubling to see the casino doing so well while our social service agencies are struggling to keep up with the demand of people in dire need of assistance.One last thought about the bell ringing experience. If you have any doubts about the optimism and generosity of people in general this is a job for you. The smiles, the laughs, the teasing, the offers of hot coffee, a few hugs and most importantly the thank you's for standing outside on a cold night for a good cause brought tears to my eyes a number of times throughout the night. Smiling is free and contagious and does as much to warm you on a cold night as a warm coat and mittens.
Sunday, December 07, 2008
Don't pass those 'ringers' by...
Every December our Kiwanis club volunteers to help out 'Sals' and ring bells for cash donations. I was concerned this year that it might be uncomfortable to watch people pass us by as the economy has people living pretty close to the edge. As is true anytime I volunteer for something I was pleasantly surprised by the generosity from the masses. We were stationed outside a Wal-Mart store in Red Wing - a place I rarely frequent. There is nothing special about the people that shop at Wal-Mart except they all have a similar look. Too many thin coats, no gloves, sweat pants, old tennis shoes, threadbare hooded sweatshirts etc. However, it was the same people who generously filled the kettle with their change and dollar bills - lifting their children to put change in while thanking me for standing outside on a cold night.The money that goes in those kettles helps to provide shelter, food, home visits, rehabilitation, thrifts shops, and elder and children services. The money stays in our community and assists families that are in the 'working poor' category.Interestingly, I headed out to Treasure Island Casino after my two hour shift and danced for 5 hours - yep 5 hours! That's another story and boy was it fun! I haven't been at the casino in a few years and it sure didn't look like we are in a recession based on the mass of humanity gambling their hard earned money away. While I didn't put a single nickel in a slot machine - I was struck that the people smoking, drinking and gambling looked like the same people who had a couple hours before walked through the Wal-Mart doors. Are they gambling away the mortgage money? Smoking up the grocery money? I'll make no judgment, but it was a bit troubling to see the casino doing so well while our social service agencies are struggling to keep up with the demand of people in dire need of assistance.One last thought about the bell ringing experience. If you have any doubts about the optimism and generosity of people in general this is a job for you. The smiles, the laughs, the teasing, the offers of hot coffee, a few hugs and most importantly the thank you's for standing outside on a cold night for a good cause brought tears to my eyes a number of times throughout the night. Smiling is free and contagious and does as much to warm you on a cold night as a warm coat and mittens.
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