The Red Bucket Time of Year

With the holiday season starting we all know that it is almost time for those red buckets and bell ringers to make their way to the stores and malls. If you live in the United States you know what I am talking about. It’s the Salvation Army Bell Ringers. They are everywhere during the holidays. 

I am one of those people who cannot walk near one of those red buckets and not put something in it. I have to be careful or I will give away all my money. Growing up my dad made a big production out of us putting something in the bucket. He always gave each of us money to put in whenever we went shopping. 

It wasn’t until I was an adult that I realized we didn’t always have that money to spare. Yet, my father never missed a chance to teach us about helping someone else. Even if it means we do without something. He did without plenty of time, my mother as well, so us kids would have something we wanted or needed. 

The bell ringing starts on November 11th and runs through Christmas Eve. You can still sign up to ring a bell if you would like to. It could be the way you give back during the holidays. I will admit that I have never signed up to be a bell ringer. Maybe it’s something I need to think about doing this year or next.

Even if you don’t sign up to ring the bell, remember to put something in the bucket. Please don’t be that person who says “I’ll catch you on the way out” only to go out the other door or ignore them when you walk out. It doesn’t have to be much. I know that times are tough.

They are tough all over and even a quarter can be put to good use. I know that for some that may be hard. Any small amount can help. What I do is keep any loose change and dollar bills that I get when I use cash during the season. I use that to drop into the bucket.

It is just a little something that I can do to help those in need during this time of the year. It’s not always much but it’s me doing my part. Something that reminds me of my father every single time I do it. I feel as though he is smiling down at me when I do it. It is one of the ways that the season is kept special for me.