Reason to Ring
Merry Christmas everyone!
The holidays are a time of food, family, and fellowship. But for all the family traditions created during Christmas and Thanksgiving, for me it’s the simple acts of kindness and selflessness to those in need that bring the most joy and make the holidays special.
This Christmas we at The Salvation Army are keenly aware of the multitude of needs that people have. We’ve seen more people at our Corps seeking help at the pantry and for rent and utility assistance. But for us to continue helping the most people throughout the year, we need volunteers to help us raise more money by manning a kettle during the holiday season.
So why would someone want to volunteer for the Salvation Army? First, we have a tradition of being good stewards of resources. Since our inception in 1865, The Salvation Army has been known for serving soldiers during WWI to being the hands and feet of Christ today. We have helped and ministered to many people in their time of need, growing across most countries and continents simply because of the need for our services and our track record of “Doing the Most Good” with donated resources.
Second, by volunteering and participating in our kettle drive you are contributing to delivering those programs and services that are most helpful to our neighbors. All money raised during the kettle season stays local and helps fund our critical programs throughout the year.
Third, volunteering at The Salvation Army allows someone to help a fellow human being. Helping others provides hope and has a side benefit of lifting the mood of the helper/giver. This might be a good reason to ring and give back a small measure of grace and kindness.
You might be surprised to know that we have many families whose holiday traditions include ringing the bells at a Salvation Army kettle every year. I am grateful for the generosity of donors at the kettles, but I’m just as grateful for volunteers who selflessly donate their time to help us raise money that then puts food on a table in March, pays an overdue utility bill in August and helps a person stay in their home after getting behind on the rent in December.
And that selfless holiday spirit continues at the kettles, when folks who’ve been down and needed help make a beeline to us, drop in a donation, and give a word of thanks, or share a story when The Salvation Army made all the difference. It’s these touching moments when our reasons to volunteer become abundantly clear.
What’s your reason to ring? Mine is to help people that need it. I’d like to encourage you this holiday season to let offering hope and joy to others (and receiving it yourself) become your reason to ring. Please consider helping The Salvation Army by starting a new tradition of volunteering. Just go to our website: registertoring.com and sign up!
Kelly