There Just Isn't One Santa, There Are Hundreds In Prince George

Monday, December 22, 2008 03:45 AM

I was awed by the kind of support that was shown for the Salvation Army Christmas kettle campaign as I worked the kettle last weekend.

I drew a shift at the new liquor store at the Pine Center and when I left my shift I couldn’t help but reflect on the generosity of the people in this region.

While I can’t say for certain, there were people leaving that store with, one bottle, in some cases a six pack of beer and you could see from the faces that they really didn’t have a lot left in their pockets. I actually wanted to say to some of them not to bother putting money in the kettle, or how about I put a donation in for them, but they seemed proud of what they were doing and I didn’t feel I should take that pride away from them.

Two young couples said they would be back with a donation, and by God they did.

There were a couple of scrooges in the crowd but they were, I can assure you, a very small percentage of the people leaving the place.

I was lucky to be able to stand at the door and wish Merry Christmas to a part of a community that I so dearly love.

May I say again, thank you all who supported the Salvation Army Christmas Kettle campaign. As I said to one of the staff standing near me, “there but by the Grace of God Go we” and it is so true, and yet strange as it may be a lot of those people who are just hanging on, reached into their pocket to pull out what may have been their last Loonie to hand over to me.

Let it be said indeed there is a Santa Clause, hundreds of them around you every day.

I’m Meisner and that’s one man’s opinion.

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Posted on Monday, December 22, 2008 03:45 AM in Views by Ben Meisner

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Comments

Posted by: Don Mackenzie on December 22 2008 11:45 AM

Ben...Good story, BUT if the people were short of money...WHy were they buying Booze.....Still it was a great story about good people.

Posted by: C. Monty Burns on December 22 2008 12:05 PM

"BUT if the people were short of money...WHy were they buying Booze"

Hey Don. Perhaps some people like to spend their hard earned money on a bottle of booze. Is that a crime? Didn't think so. At this time of year, so many different groups and organizations look for assistance. That is fine, and it's great to help and it even makes me feel good inside for doing so. But I don't want to be bugged to donate at every curve in the road. I don't think it's too much for someone to spend some of their own money on something they like.

Posted by: gus on December 22 2008 12:47 PM

When money is short, drinking and gambling spending rises.

Posted by: robichal on December 22 2008 3:10 PM

Perhaps that six pack or mickey or whatever they bought is in the budget they created, whether it was the last of the budget it's actually thier business and really no elses and if they did put in the last of their change after spending the last of THEIR budget, good for them...and if they chose to spend the last of their $$$ on booze and NOT donate to the kettle, that is also their business and no one should be judging them on that.

Posted by: lostfaith on December 22 2008 3:32 PM

My thoughts exactly Robichal.
It's also interesting to note how the kettles are set up at liquor outlets so as to try and arouse peoples feelings of guilt. Do they also set up at casino's, daycares or welfare offices?

Posted by: Rufftimes on December 22 2008 8:25 PM

They set up where most of the people are and where people have money to spend. If people feel guilty, it's not because the kettles are there. If you have ever been involved in fundraising for any cause, you want to maximize the use of your people and their donated time. Everyone should take a turn at the kettle and see how others respond. There are more generous, caring, loving people than not. Thankfully.

Posted by: caranmacil on December 23 2008 2:45 PM

Hey! dont call me a scrooge BEn! I dont give to the kettle, but i doubt there are many who donate a bigger proportion of their income to charity than i do. Also, a lot of the 'scrooges' that pass a kettle by may have already given elsewhere. I am a caring, generous, loving person, so dont judge me on whether you can guilt me into paying into your particular charity. Giving to charity is optional, thats where the virtue is. pressuring people to do give, or judging them based on your perception of their generosity is not only unfair, its stupid and hypocritical. EVERY ONE OF US spends mony on themselves that could better have been given to the needy. Children starve or die of disease on christmas morning every dang year while even the most generous of us indulge ourselves and our loved ones. THese are the facts. Just let it be, people, do what you can for your fellow man and let others do the same. Enjoy a Christmas in what ever way suits you best without judging others.