Tonight I had to stop at Walmart at the end of my very busy work week, to do my shopping for the holiday drive where I work.  My husband and I are sponsoring one of the 1,200 families that will be helped this year by Children’s Friend!  I am so proud to work for this agency, I can’t tell you enough about it!

Anyway, earlier in the day I’d read about this week’s WordPress Photo Challenge:  Community.  As always, bloggers are encouraged to show their stuff; how  we individually interpret the challenge.  Well, as I mentioned I was at Walmart tonight and as I left the store the Salvation Army Kettle Bell ringer was at the door.  Wishing shoppers a happy holiday and a friendly “stay warm”,  I dropped my dollar bill into the round red pot and thanked, thanked him for doing a great job, and made my way to the other end of the lot where I’d parked my car.

As I walked away I thought, “this is it, this is community!”  I turned on my heels and headed back to the front door of the store.  I asked the bell-ringer if I could take his picture.  I explained that a I write a blog and that I wanted to write about him tonight.  I asked his name and with the biggest, broadest smile he jumped up from his seat and said, “You can call me Al.  Where do you want me to stand?”  As you can see he stood next to his kettle.  I took the picture and after getting approval from him I shook his hand, wished him well and went on my way.

This season when you see a bell-ringer, drop something–anything, into the bucket.  And, say thank you to that person weathering the cold, wind, snow, rain; doing his or her best to make sure the kettle gets filled and the Salvation Army can continue to do its good work; this is COMMUNITY!

Related articles

• Salvation Army’s bell ringers to set up outside storefronts next weekend (bangordailynews.com)
• Bell-ringers brave the cold (wgme.com)
• Weekly Photo Challenge: Community (caughtbytheeyeofmankind.wordpress.com)