The first part of this challenge involves a Salvation Army bell ringer. Now, if you're anything like me, you try to avoid eye contact with these people at ALL costs when you go into a store. Avoiding eye contact when leaving is also very critical. We typically avoid eye contact because we 1.) are afraid they'll somehow force us to put money in their bucket or 2.) feel sheepish for not throwing any money in when we KNOW they know we have money. Duh. We're coming out of the store with a bag. So it confirms that yes, we had money going into the store and didn't put it in when we passed them and yes, we may very well still have some money as we're leaving the store.
So, let's do them (and us) a favor by tossing in some money today. I don't know where you live, but here in Minnesota, it's mighty cold today. As we place some money in their red bucket today, let's also thank them for standing out in the cold to raise money for people in need.
Now, the second part of our give challenge today is to give $10 to charity. Many of you give regularly to all sorts of great charities, but today, let this $10 be on top of what you normally give. Who are you going to bless today? Imagine what good your $10 could do! It could purchase a few meals, it could heat someone's house for a few days, it could buy a pair of mittens for a kid...the list goes on.
Where will your $10 go today? It gets me so excited to think of $10 floating out from each of our pockets and blessing an organization today.
If you need help choosing an organization, here are a few that are near and dear to my heart:Luther Point Bible Camp
Sky Ranch Bible Camp
Lutheran Youth Encounter
Latreia
Mennonite Central Committee
ELCA World Hunger
Global Health Ministries
TIE (Together Integrating Everyone)
If you'd like to search some other trusted non-profits, check out Charity Navigator. At Charity Navigator, you can search by topic and also see how thousands of charities are rated on organizational efficiency and organizational capacity.
Drop me a line to let me know how your giving adventure went! I can't wait to tell you about mine!
We did this today!
ReplyDeleteFun, actually...Blake dropped one of his coins on the ground, so the bell guy gave him one out of his own pocket to put in. The guy coming out of the store behind us gave Blake more coins to put in. At the end, the bell guy tried to get Blake to ring his bell, but Blake wouldn't have anything to do with it. ;)
True Story: Due to the nature of my job, I really make an effort to make the eye contact and give what I have in my purse. BUT...Mom and Dad came into town this weekend and we went shopping. I only saw ONE bell ringer- which I only sort of noticed until I read your blog. I am challenged to go out and find the ringers and/or find out why they aren't out. PS I recommend Family Promise which has affiliates all over the place: http://www.familypromise.org/program/interfaith-hospitality-network
ReplyDelete-Jennifer J
I have to say I had a hard time finding a bell ringer today! I was shopping at a strip mall area and heard a bell in the distance but I couldn't locate the ringer. I ended up going to the local grocery store just so I could find a Salvation Army ringer! Ironically, there was no bell ringer stationed there, just the lone bucket. I quickly went up, dropped my money into the bucket and snatched away like any good Christmas elf would! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you guys had a good time doing it too! Yay for blessing others!
I didn't have trouble finding a bell ringer, but I completed this challenge after spending 50 minutes at customer service and getting a flat tire (actually, two flat tires). So in spite of my miserable state at the time, the smile and Merry Christmas from the bell ringer did brighten my day. Thanks for inspiring us, Amber!
ReplyDelete