.
We’ve all seen the bell ringers standing in front of stores during the holidays. They’re raising money for the Salvation Army which is one of the few charities you can trust not to spend 80% of donations on “administrative” costs.
Standing outside in Maine in December can be tough. I’ve seen bell ringers wrapped up in so many layers of clothing they look like the Michelin Man.
Hell, I’ve bought coffee and hot chocolate for those poor volunteers to keep them warm.
Because, you know… they volunteered to help.
Or did they?
.
.
Whaaaat!
Is this a new thing… or am I just woefully out of touch.
What happened to the volunteers?
🥴
.
River's world..... 
I did not know this either. I always admired the bellringers commitment to a cause… but now I wonder…
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This really disappointed me and I don’t know why. Everyone needs to earn a living, but….
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Must be decades because I remember seeing bell ringer jobs in the 90’s
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Wow.
Now I’m even more disappointed…
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Sorry 😒
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I might volunteer to work for the S.A. for $14.50 an hour, but not there. Who wants to be in a Bath outdoors in Maine at this time of year?
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The water is warm…
At first.
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Nope, they’ve always paid the bell ringers. Yes they do have other volunteers but the ones that stand outside and ring that bell, they do get paid.
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I guess everyone knew this except me…
🥴
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I didn’t know.
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I had no idea either.
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I can only imagine that in today’s world, not a lot of people are getting in line to join the Sally Ann or ring their bells. But I have to wonder whether they would make enough to cover the hourly wage.
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I hope so. Otherwise what’s the point…
😰
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It used to be that the bell ringers were people the Army was trying to help and that paying them was an initiative.
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Ah, okay.
That makes sense…
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Hmmm, I wonder if they need people in Vegas to work?
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I’m sure they need them everywhere….
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Maybe it’s not everywhere? My FIL volunteers every year in his small town of Okeechobee, FL and has never been paid.
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Good for him! My faith in humanity has been ( somewhat ) restored.
❤️
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Yeah, it’s always been a paid gig. I’ve written blog posts about how I avoid them like the plague, lol.
Cool story though: every year in Rapid City, someone anonymously donates a gold coin worth about $1,100 (depending on the current price per ounce, of course). It’s been happening since at least 2016.
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That’s wonderful. I don’t avoid them… but my donations are a bit smaller.
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Maybe religious people want to spend time with their family celebrating the birth of JC. Some don’t have family or celebrate so maybe it’s a way of participating in the spirit of goodwill and sharing the day with others. If someone needs the money it’s not an awful way to earn it and if someone needs the company it’s a good day to offer it?
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Yes to all that. I was just surprised…
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