Saturday I spent a couple of hours at Green’s liquor store, but not for the obvious reasons.
I was doing my Rotary duty, for the first time in several years. KBFenner told me I had no excuse not to ring this year, seeing as how I’m unemployed. She doesn’t realize how time-consuming being unemployed is, but I took her point. Anybody can find a couple of hours to ring the bell for Salvation Army.
I had a pleasant time chatting with my bell-ringing partner, Jessica Cross. Jessica works in the governor’s office, so we found all sorts of things to talk about. And she was very patient with me.
We also chatted with some of the patrons. You know, some folks (although certainly not the vast majority) have a drink before they go to the liquor store, or so I gathered. Folks were really friendly, and some stopped to chat and philosophize at length.
It was chilly in the shade — several feet away it was nice and warm in the sun, but the position was not nearly as good there for catching folks coming and going — but on the whole an enjoyable and rewarding experience. Folks were very generous.
I resolve to do this again before nearly as much time has passed…
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A woman who appeared to be a regular customer, if you know what I mean, asked me where she should go to apply for “one of those shaky-shaky jobs.”
I explained that I was a volunteer, but…
Another night, a former coworker at Nexsen Pruet who now works in a less stressful job also indicted that since I did not have to work, that he did not feel so bad that I was “reduced” to ringing the bell.
I do make a sincere affort to dress well and make Rotary and the Salvation Army proud. What was up with all that?
and I have indeed been unemployed, my sole support and young enough to have no appreciable money reserves, and anxiously seeking a job before. I do indeed know how time-consuming being unemployed (as opposed to just shirking as I do now) can be. Heck, just living your life to please yourself as your own boss can take up quite a bit of time.
But as I suggested to my unemployed niece, who was “annoyed” that the unemployment office did not make appointments, and she had to work that night (I don’t ask too many questions)–they probably wouldn’t keep her there much after 5 PM.
Good work, Brad.
Ringing a bell for the Salvation Army can give you much more than you give, as can helping out at Harvest Hope, or helping serve a meal to the homeless, or visiting the chronically homebound, or any one of dozens of charities. Don’t like dealing with people? Stock shelves, or help with paper work. There is plenty you can do, and the need is there. We can all get through this economic crunch with a little help from our friends. I hope there are plenty of ‘friends’ out there this season and on through the next year. Happy Advent to all!
Indeed, Karen — The little kids who shyly come up and put money in, or the folks who clearly have little, but put money in…I get a lot out of the shaky-shaky job.
and I’d like to highlight your phrase “on through the next year”-the need doesn’t stop after the holidays!