Ringing The Bell

It isn't what you have in your pocket that makes you thankful, but what you have in your heart.-- Author Unknown

Allow me to make a full confession up front: It was not out of free will, but rather out of an employment obligation, that I stood for two hours in cold, wind and rain and rang the bell for the Salvation Army yesterday outside of Wal Mart. Yes, that’s right, I stood outside of Wal Mart, none other than my all time favorite store! Truth be told, I looked at this assignment with little less than outright nausea when faced with it, mostly because of Wal Mart (I just hate that store). In all honesty, however, I took away a valuable lesson, ironically, about gratitude.


The Salvation Army does a lot of good for the people of our community, specifically the clients I serve. I also witnessed their service first hand when our neighbor’s house burned down a few years ago. They provide food, shelter, clothing, toys at Christmas, and a myriad of other services to those in need with no requirement of repayment. They rely solely on donations, and this year the Salvation Army, as most non-profit organizations, has struggled tremendously because of the state budget crisis. All agencies need assistance. Many people need help this winter. People are hungrier than usual, colder than usual, money is tighter period. Despite this need, I saw many people digging into their wallets to give. As they gave, I couldn’t help but think that some of them were probably donating to an organization that they themselves may utilize from time to time. Perhaps that was why they chose to donate; a giving back of sorts.


Many people passed the kettle by, but many people contributed. Most gave spare change and one dollar bills. Many gave five dollar bills and two even gave ten dollars! One man was thoughtful enough to bring me a coffee from McDonald’s. My freezing fingers were happy to accept the warm drink! Several people specifically thanked me for ringing the bell.


Being a bell ringer also gave me a different perspective of the kettle drive in general. I can honestly say that I did not look at any one person entering or exiting Wal Mart and expect them to donate money. This time of year, I always try to keep loose change and a few ones in my pocket so that I can give to the various drives around town. But as the season progresses, and as I am in and out of so many stores, I start to feel as if I am personally taxed. I feel pressured to tell each individual bell ringer that I already gave to the last person at Giant Eagle, just 10 minutes ago. One person did tell me that she would “get me on the way out.” I completely understood her reasoning, but standing on the other side of the fence, I now understand that there is no obligation or judgment. Any gift is appreciated, but not expected.


Two parents from the program were supposed to stand with me. They did not show up. I suppose that the bad weather was a deterrent for them. Personally, I am grateful that I was able to spend the time alone. I'm not sure I would have taken as much away from it if I had company. The semi-solitude gave me time to reflect on what I was doing, why I was there. It allowed me time to reassure myself that two hours in the cold was little sacrifice compared to what some people withstand during the winter months. I considered what it would be like to be some of the people that the Salvation Army assists, to be homeless, to rely on shelters for my bed, not knowing if I would be displaced during the entire winter day, where I would sleep, how I would keep warm...two hours seemed contrite in comparison.

I know that in years past, my father-in-law has rung the bell. I’m not sure if he plans to do it again this year. It is something that I would consider doing next year on my own free time, and if the weather were decent, I would take Jacob along as well. At the end of the two hours, I was cold, my feet were numb, but my heart was warm, and the kettle was fuller.


Some other things I learned while I was standing there:

1. I can ring a bell better with my right hand than my left.

2. It’s very hard to text while ringing a bell - kind of like patting your head and rubbing your belly at the same time!

3. Clouds can blow in two different directions at the same time. I guess that’s what is meant by the term “cross winds.” (OK, sometimes I’m not as bright as I seem!)

4. The few moments of sun shining through the clouds felt fantastic, especially in comparison to the pounding wind and rain!

5. You don’t have to actually walk into the store to use Wal Mart’s trash can. They have a little foyer area. I was able to throw away my coffee cup without undermining my anti-Wal Mart principles! :)