UNITED STATES—I’m sure you’ve done it at some point this shopping season, donations. It seems like no matter where you go those donations are being requested at almost every checkout location that you can think of. Whether it is at the supermarket, fast-food chains, fast-casual restaurants or retailers you’re being asked to round up or donate your remaining funds to a local charity.
I’m not too fond of this at many establishments because I don’t know for certain if those actual funds are going to these so-called charities or organizations that many of these retailers are requesting your funds to go to.
I prefer to donate directly to an organization or cause if I’m going to do it, versus some third party, because I know with CERTAINTY where my actual money is going. With that said, the red kettle is popular this time of year. I’m certain many of you have seen them if you’ve been out shopping, whether at the mall or your local grocery store, those volunteers are out donating their time to collect money for those in need for the American Red Cross.
It may sound odd, but this is the bulk of my donations that I give during the holiday season is to those red kettle cans. I’ve been doing it for as long as I can remember because I feel like I should do it. If I’m spending money, I know I have something left over that I can give to others, even if it’s a dollar or two, $5, $10, or even more.
At times I could donate to five kettles or more in a single day if I’m out and about and they are at those retailers ringing that bell. Yes, the bell can be annoying, but this is the one time of year that I am okay hearing a ringing bell because it is going to families and people in need. I will admit I used to get upset at people not donating to the kettle, but then I had to take a deep breath and reflect. It is very possible they don’t have actual cash on them.
Lots of Americans don’t walk around carrying cash as in the Olden Days, but I am a big proponent that cash is indeed king. Computers and tech can be glitchy, so as a result, I always carry at minimum $20 in my wallet. It is better to be prepared for the unknown than to not be prepared at all. I look it this way, if I have money in the bank, I can donate any funds that I have on hand and I can go to the bank later to get more money into the pocket or my wallet.
I have always wanted to volunteer my time and actually ring the bell for the organization at a retailer, but I have always found it difficult to do because my schedule is so chaotic I rarely have any time off. I am seriously hoping that in the next 12 months that I can find a way to make something happen, because I TRULY want to give my time back to an organization that I think does a lot more than it actually gets credit for me.
Written By Jason Jones
