Just another day of fun
Posted by Sr. Thomas Sawyer
Over the past 30 years I have had many opportunities to ring the bell for the Salvation Army, sometimes as part of the Rotary service club competition, sometimes as a member of the board of the Salvation Army and sometimes as an employee of the Milford Daily News when we had the battle of the bells amongst businesses.
Sometimes the Daily News would win. Some years, under the leadership of Peter Ellis, the Bright Agency would scoop the award and sometimes Milford Federal would win the award. But no matter who won- the winner was always Charity and those that rang the bells.
Long ago, I arrived at a very simple conclusion- the Salvation Army Kettle is the BEST CHARITY building tool in America. It collects dollars for current needs and builds generations of future givers. You see it happen on every shift.
Yesterday was no different, so I thought I would share some of the comments from yesterdays shift in hopes that it will encourage others to: stand and be blessed in future years as yesterday's ringers were thanked and blessed for standing. Time is scarce at this time of the year, but if you can fit it in, you will fine the fit feels good.
As you know, the Army supplies us with" I am a Rotarian bell ringing vest" and yesterday I decided to wear my "Milford Rotary Cap" as well. This combination seemed to inspire one lady to share an interesting conversation.
As she dropped a bill in the kettle she said " Thanks for standing and helping the army today." Jokingly I said- " no big deal, we need to do something good at least once a year." She bounced back. "Rotarians do a lot of good all year." I work for a pantry in Wilmington, Delaware and my daughter was chosen for a $5000 scholarship and I will be forever grateful to Rotary". Who would have thought a simple shift at the Kmart Kettle would be such a testimonial of what Rotary is all about.
A little later, a woman put a bill in the kettle and said, "wow it is almost full, that is great." It made her feel good that holiday shoppers were caring and sharing and she was part of something important.
Another thing I have learned over the years is that the Kmart shopper is a happy giver and yesterday was no different.
And of course, a shift on the KETTLE is a wonderful opportunity to hand out scores of that traditional and inspiring, but challenged greeting of "Merry Christmas " accompanied with a heartfelt Thank You."
That alone might be a good reason to sign up for a kettle shift.
Who would not be inspired by the sight of parents or grand parents handing coins or bills to the kids so they can physically participate in the giving, caring, and sharing process which brings me to what transpired as I was closing the stand at 5:09.
I remember the time because I glanced at my watch and thought, " wow if I had left five minutes earlier I would have missed this wonderful holiday blessing."
A mother approached the kettle with her 9-10 year old child and gave him a dollar to put into the kettle. He was hesitant to part with his new found dollar and asked his mom "why am I putting it in the kettle". She explained the need to help others who have less. The young man was still not satisfied. He turned to his mother and asked, " what happens when it goes into the hole."
Wow what an opening -what a neat question-what a way to end a day. We had a nice 2-minute conversation about how his dollar added to all the others, multiples and ends up helping feed or clothe those in need.
He seemed satisfied with the answer and ready to take one of the four small tootsies that I had left from the candies that Ellis had purchased when he ran out of lollipops. He said "do I get just one?" I said, "how many would you like? " He shrugged his shoulders, so I quickly said ' why don't you take all of them, I am going home anyway. My shift is done.
His eyes lit up and he scooped all four. Inside I was feeling good. Those in need had another dollar and while that was important, it seemed insignificant compared to the spirit of his mother who most likely had just introduced her son to a lifetime of kettle giving and caring. What is the worth of what she had done? Maybe it's fair to say that a gift of shift on the kettle may in fact be one of your best gifts of the year.
Merry Christmas To All and To All A Good Day!