Generosity is Contagious

It’s that time of year again! It is a most wonderful time of the year! It is for sure a favorite time for me to serve at the Red Kettle for The Salvation Army. As I begin my new series of shifts at my local Walmart, I find that people are generous. It’s fun to interact with people and to show them true joy. 

I’ve been involved in several ministries over the last few years that require me to help find support from local communities. Each time I have been able to build relationships with very generous people. My ministry has focused on low income families, or at-risk youth and children in foster care, or serving the needs of young people everywhere as is the case with Youth for Christ I currently serve. It never ceases to amaze me how generous people are.

I believe something happens within us when we are generous. You know, the old saying that it’s more blessed to give than receive may actually be true.

Studies have shown that people are actually healthier when they are generous. According to Stephen Johnson, “Giving not only helps others, but it also rewards yourself in measurable ways, so much so that it may even increase your lifespan.” 

This research also revealed that volunteering actually makes us healthier. One research showed that seniors who volunteer will live 40% longer than those that don’t.

How generosity changes your brain - Big Think

Volunteering is cool because it offers us an opportunity to promote generosity!

I remember growing up when The Salvation Army came through for my family. People would say that they had joy in helping. Though my dad worked hard, and my mother did everything she could to provide it was still a challenge to make ends-meet.  I have a vivid memory of The Salvation Army bringing a box of food to assist us in our time of need.

I have a very soft spot in my heart for this ministry that goes above, and beyond, in the most efficient of ways. They keep overhead costs and salaries efficiently to do the most good. 

For the last seven years, I had volunteered my time with The Salvation Army as a Bell Ringer. Each year I seem to find a little more joy to give and I’m grateful for the terrific opportunity to minister to people. Just a kind word seems to cheer people up during very stressful times in their lives.

I remember when a father came out with his two young daughters. He put money in the kettle, and I gave candy to his daughters, but what one of his children said was very surprising to me. She said, “My mother died last year.“ WOW! All I could say was that I was sorry to hear that and that I would be praying for them. The dad seems to be doing well, and managing the two daughters, whom he clearly loves!

I remember another occasion when a young mom came to the kettle with her daughter. Her daughter had a jar full of coins. As she was pouring the coins into the small opening of the kettle, the mother said that they save all year to give. It was a joy for me to be there at that time to see this act of generosity. The mother said, “They (Salvation Army) came through for me when I needed them and now that I have a job I’m giving back.” 

Likely people give generously because somebody showed them the way. Someone help them when they were in need and they now have the opportunity to have another. It’s not that they have enough money now to be generous because so often it’s those who seem to have little that gives the most and the red kettle.

I believe people also are generous, because it’s a reflection of their heart. I believe that most people by design are generous. I think God put something within all of us let makes us eager to help our fellow human beings.

I believe that a simple smile or positive comment can change the outcome of giving. Last year I had my grandkids with me, helping me at the red kettle. A man came out to give and chatted with my grandson. What impressed my grandson was when the man pulled out $100 bill. He stuck it in the kettle, unaware that my grandson was watching him. Immediately my grandson commented that that was a lot of money. Well he doesn’t really know the value of money but he does know that $100 bill and buy a lot of things. When we got home, he had to brag about how he was able to get people to give up a $100 bill. 

Generosity is an infectious activity. It is passed on to others like a virus, but in a good way. As one demonstrates kindness and giving it causes others to want to do the same. I believe that’s why the red kettle is such an important reminder in our culture. It is so essential to be reminded of the importance of helping others. The red kettle is a reminder that there are people in need and each of us can do something to help.

Lessons from the Red Kettle

Every year it’s a joy to volunteer my time in the community. This year, I took time out of my schedule to volunteer with Marion’s Salvation Army‘s Red Kettle. For just a couple of hours, I stood outside of the Marion Walmart greeting the patrons as they entered and exited.

Volunteering is a lot of fun and especially when it’s within your particular niche. My niche just happens to be conversation. I love to greet people and listen to their stories. Perhaps that’s why I am enjoying my time in the Indiana Wesleyan University Alumni Association as the Director of Alumni & Church Relations.

Ringing the bell for the Salvation Army is a blast in my opinion. If you enjoy observing people and interacting with them, I would highly recommend this experience. It is most interesting to me to see the reaction of people who either avoid looking at you or make every effort to let you know that they have already donated. I happen to enjoy the former more, because it is a challenge to get people to break out of their comfort zone and offer you at least a gesture of a greeting. It’s usually the nod of the head or a simple wave.

I have observed three different types of people during my time ringing the bell. First, you have the avoiders. These are the people that will go out of their way to look away and pretend they don’t hear your bell ringing and verbal greetings. One lady, who did everything she could to avoid talking to me, pretending to not hear me at first and then when it was all to obvious I was there, looked into her purse as if to grab a cell phone call. I remembered her and when she came out later I loved the opportunity to get her attention. “Hello again, and good evening,” I said. While looking straight at me, she walked past as if I was invisible. Now I’m certain she heard me because her eyes seem to convey an assurance of my existence, but she was not going to communicate with so much as a wave or nod of the head. She simply kept walking. Giving her the benefit of the doubt, I’m certain that she had other things on her mind. Perhaps they were burdens or a fear that somehow talking to me would commit her to dropping a few coins in the Red Kettle.

Then there are the people who just simply respond to my greeting with a simple echo of my greeting. “Good afternoon!” I’d say, and they would mutter, “Good afternoon to you as well”. I refer to them as the echo. This is the basis of society called reciprocity, the reciprocating of your smile or kind words but never going beyond that simple response.

You may be like the third person I encountered in my bell ringing. These people represent the true heart of charity and perhaps the golden rule: do unto others as you would have them do unto you. This usually calls for a little special treatment of their response. Perhaps they not only say hello back, but they also say God bless you or thank you for being here and even offer a kind gift of a donation in the Red Kettle.

Scripture speaks often about this golden rule, going the extra mile and give cheerfully. The Christian faith is full of examples both in scripture and in life of how important it is to put others ahead of yourself. In order for a society to better itself, we need to have charity and goodwill with a splash of hope that reflects the love God has for each one of us.

This time of year there are many who are ringing bells, trying to call attention to their favorite cause. They desire to bring goodwill to one and all. It is this time of year that we think of the Christmas carols and even reflect on Charles Dickens, Christmas Scrooge. It is this time of year when charity seems to come to life visibly and in real, tangible ways.

One young lady with her six-year-old stopped at the Red Kettle and told me simply, “I can’t walk past a single one of these Red Kettles without putting something in!” as she stuffed several dollar bills into the kettle. “This organization helped me when I was in great need, and they bought gifts for my son. I am grateful and especially now that I’m on my feet I can give back so that others will have the same opportunity I once needed from this great organization.“

So take note the next time you hear that faint bell ringing; there is much to be gained through charity. There are so many benefits because of it. May that bell ringing remind you that we can do for others as we would have done to us. In this we could reflect the kind of love that God extended to us when we were yet undeserving. It is through our acts of kindness we show others that we best demonstrate the love and goodwill of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

“Preach the Gospel at all times. Use words if necessary.” – (Saint Francis of Assisi) St. Francis of Assisi

Check out my related article here.