COME ON RING THOSE BELLS

Each year, at this time, the CHEERLEADER and I volunteer and ring the bells for the Salvation Army Red Kettle.

It started about 6 years ago and we usually do it a couple of times over the Christmas Season.

Weather wise, you don't know what you are going to get.

Tonight is was around 40 degrees, but very windy, so the kettle was already on the inside of the entry of a local grocery store when we started our shift...6-8pm (last shift of the night).

So with a Starbucks in hand, along with Candy Canes for the kids of those who drop money in the red kettle, we set off to work our shift.

One of the things that I like is to see how many people I can get to respond back when I say, "MERRY CHRISTMAS!"

There are all types of people that walk by us:

• The "sprinter"
• This is the person who wants to go by us so quick, they hope we miss them
• The "Invisible Man"
• This is the person who figures if they don't make eye contact with us, we can't see them
• The "grunter"
• This is the person that when you say, "Merry Christmas," they make some type of sound that acknowledges they heard you
• The "giver"
• This is the person or persons who are smiling, they respond back with "Merry Christmas to you too!"  They usually drop folding money in the kettle or make apologies for why they only have coins.

It's 2 hours of our time, a couple of times in December, that we give so that others can benefit from the services of the Salvation Army.

What can you do?  Find an organization, family or individual that you can help out...even if it is just with your time.  

Have fun with it.

You'll be glad you did.

FINAL NOTE:

For anyone in the Omaha, Nebraska area next Friday, December 22nd, the CHEERLEADER and I will be back at the Hy-Vee grocery store on 156th and Maple, ring the bells, passing out candy canes and maybe, just maybe, singing a Christmas Carol or two from 6-8pm.  Stop on by and see us....and drop a little something in the Red Kettle!