Every year I volunteer with the Salvation Army to be a bell-ringer. It's a humbling experience that re-adjusts my opinion of shoppers during the holidays. Granted, there are plenty of people that walk by without making eye contact, but here are a few other stories:
1. In 2008 during the economic free-fall, a family of four came out of the supermarket where I was working and wished me a Merry Christmas. I asked the children what they wanted for Christmas, and the mom said there won't be much of a Christmas that year. Then the father dropped a TWENTY in the kettle.
2. On a bitter cold night, a very suspicious individual walked past me and stared at me while going into the store. I noted my surroundings because we are always warned that we could get robbed and have the kettle stolen. A little while later the same individual walked out of the store and just stared at me as he got into his car and pulled away. Then a few minutes later he pulled into the parking lot again, walked up to me and handed me a cup of coffee.
3. A twenty-something was walking into the store and we started chatting. He said he was going inside to buy twenty dollars worth of lottery tickets. I asked him if his life would be better off if he dropped the twenty in the kettle. He said "You know what? You're right." And he dropped the twenty in the kettle and walked away.
These kind of things happen every year and it is really inspiring. I suggest you try it some time. The Salvation Army has never once asked my religious denomination nor did they evangelize. They just say thank you.
On a side note, it gets bitter cold standing there all night, and you get a glimpse of what the homeless go through on winter nights. So I was inspired to start an annual blanket drive.
Happy Holidays Everyone!