Every year around this time, the Salvation Army bell ringers appear outside grocery stores and large retailers with their red aprons and kettles, taking donations. Most people stop on the way in or out to drop their spare change into the kettles. I do it too. Personally, I have an old friend who was in a bad way some years ago and was taken in by the Salvation Army. When he got (and stayed) sober the Salvation Army even gave him a job. I am truly grateful for what they did for my friend, so I'm always happy to drop a few quarters into the kettle when I see a bell ringer. I found this particular fellow, who told me his name was Donald, outside the doors of the Safeway grocery store at the Bon Shopping Center. He was eager to explain that the Salvation Army took him in when he was homeless and had very few options, and now that he is back on his feet, he volunteers as a bell ringer.
3 comments:
They do great work year round, and the overwhelming majority- I think eighty seven or eighty eight percent- of funds raised in this campaign goes right into their programs. I donate to them as well.
Nice portrait.
He looks like such a nice guy!
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