Posted on 12/23/2019 6:32:58 AM PST by MtnClimber
You might be surprised at what you can see and hear while ringing the Christmas Bell for the Salvation Army. These last two weeks, I saw hundreds of people going in and out of our local Walmart, all coming within just a few feet of my Salvation Army Bell and Red Kettle. Soon after I started ringing the bell, a few people stopped to chat, and it was then that I realized that I had a great opportunity to learn some new things. I found that I was in the presence of authentic people living life, who were wanting and striving toward the best life they could create for themselves and their loved ones. Let me share with you a few insights garnered from the people I was lucky enough to meet.
I saw a 60-ish daughter with her 85-ish mom carefully making their way into the store. Mom had a cane in one hand and a firm grip on her daughter's arm with the other hand, slowed down by an ankle that was obviously a bit off center. Clearly, Mom and daughter were on the same page, fighting together to preserve every bit of freedom and mobility Mom could possibly retain.
Several people came out of the store befuddled, as they had no recollection of where they had parked their vehicles. None of them was upset — just amused to be facing another little hill to climb in the pursuit of a well lived life. One clever gentleman had an app on his phone to help him locate his car.
(Excerpt) Read more at americanthinker.com ...
Correct grammar alert! I hope the author helps himself to a Guinness.
None (of them) was upset. “None” is the subject; “none” is singular.
You will never find the subject or the direct object in a prepositional phrase.
Five or six years ago a friend of mine had a doctor’s appointment and she asked me to fill in for her at her Salvation Army spot, well it turned out to be a pretty cool day but my wife and I went down there and instead of ringing the bell we took the tambourine and a couple of other percussion instruments and we set up in front of a liquor store which as luck would have it, a SouthEastern exposure which was very warm on a cold day and we played the tambourine and the percussion instruments and we got compliments but what I found interesting was people coming out of liquor stores for some reason or another either have pocket change or they feel guilty... the pot was pretty full by the time we finished it up and then we were replaced in an hour or so by another couple who brought a Boombox and played traditional Christmas music.
I kind of enjoyed the experience but from what I understand it’s hard to get a good spot as it is a tenured position.
If you do get a spot make sure you get a Southeastern exposure (if possible) in the winter time because you’ll get more sun on you rather than being in the shade someplace freezing your tail off.
A buddy of mine is a retired Boston fire fighter. He said the SA was always there for them at fires.
He writes a sizable check for them every year.
Poor devil, he always feels it necessary to tell the local bell ringer he sends in a check. He explained he doesn’t want ANY SA worker to think he’s cheap even though they’d have no way of knowing he is former BFD.
I get kind of annoyed by charitable solicitations.
Mostly because our local TSC allows various organizations to set up a table in front of the store on weekends. I call it the “Guilt Gauntlet”.
I’m not opposed to charities per se, but walking up to the store with a couple of people out front, I have no way to verify who they say they are, and what they say they do. I’m sorry but if I’m going to give my hard-earned money to someone, I want to know what it is I’m funding, and, no, your word that you’re telling me the truth isn’t enough.
Visiting TSC multiple times on the average weekend, I guestimate that I get solicited for contributions at least 100x per year just at TSC.
I visit Walmart nearly as often, and when the Salvation Army shows up for the holidays, I have to kind of force myself to be receptive in the face of contribution fatigue. But the one thing that’s true about SA is you know who they are and what they do. Other than generally not having cash on me, I’m happy to contribute to them.
Part of me wishes SA would park themselves in front of TSC all year.
None is plural or singular as defined in the prepositional.
Exactly. “None” is a contraction of “not one” and requires the singular. So few people know this that it it’s rarely done properly because it sounds wrong. Like forte (strength) and forte (loud) and using apostrophe’s to form plural’s.
One benefit of living in NJ is that you can plausibly pretend you don’t speak English (for all panhandlers - organized or freelancers). I support whole cities with my taxes, and contribute at my church.
DU nasty!
Personally I feel much better about the honesty/integrity of a SA kettle ringer who is out there in 20 degree weather doing some work than the avalanche of charities who stuff my mailbox with pleas for donations over and over and over and over....
My first suggestion to them would be to quit spending every penny people donate on postage.
That’s a myth.
“That’s a myth.”
NOPE!
I don’t assume they are scams; I just know that I already contribute towards whatever they raise funds for (in most cases).
There are now “food pantries” in wealthy areas in NJ; I can’t contribute to a food pantry in towns where property taxes routinely exceed $20,000 per year on single-family homes (on large lots of land).
” None of them was upset”
“Grammar alert” “Them is plural.”
Yes; “them” IS plural, but “none” (contraction for “no ONE”) is singular.
Read, “No one … was upset.” The “was” agrees with “one”.
“One” is the subject; “them” isn’t the subject.
Wouldn’t say, “No one … were upset.”
“Yes; “them” IS plural, but “none” (contraction for “no ONE”) is singular.”
WRONG
How many were upset? More than one! PLURAL!
Thanks for sharing. I’ve shared it with friends, family and neighbors.
Entering the store I told the family ringing the bell that I had no change on me and would be back. The daughter popped up they took big bills too. When I came back started to put my offering in the kettle. It was full. Mom says “our daughter is a born salesman!”
Love when the entire family ring the bells and the little guys wear the aprons. Such a blessing to both sides.
The headline gave me to believe that the author was a BUD/S dropout.
I was just at Walmart this morning & noticed sadly that the Salvation Army was not there. I hope this was just because of the early hour. My wife & I had served as bell ringers in the past. I always try to give them something.
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