Bell Ringers

I personally don't find bell ringers that annoying. They don't bother people when they leave by asking for money unlike school sports teams that stand outside and ask people for money. I don't feel pressured to give money. I try to give money when I can. When I was growing up my mother did no thave much money. Places like the Salvation Army helped us out so we could have a nice holiday season. So now that I am in a place where I can give money I like to give back.

I just realised I just posted my response earlier as a comment to someone elses response. I think the Salvation Army is doing a great job all over the world and after suggestions in my discussion about donating my myLot earnings to a charity I have decided it's going to the Salvation Army. It's not much but hopefully it will help someone to make their Christmas a little better. So far I'm upto $17.29 but hopefully it will be a bit more before the end of the month.

I don't find them annoying! I have heard that some take their bucket into the bathroom and try to get the money out... So I am just a little leery about them. Don't forget to smile and pretend you are having a ball! :)

Dont pay no mind, Its for a good cause and people know that. Keep up the good work.

I don't mind the bellringers. They have a job to do too. Even if I don't drop a few coins in the kettle, I always greet them. The bellringers often stand outside for hours in the cold weather. Some are inside too. I commend you!

Oh, they're probably just snobs, haviong a bad day, or a headache. Those ones that pointedly ignore you? They feel guilty for not donating any money lol. I'm a bell ringer this year also, and the jobs gives one plenty of time to observe people lol. It reminds me why I don't like being around crowds of people. I mean it's not that the people are nasty to me or that I hate people or anything...it's just..I'm not a people person. But a job's a job, and I need the money aned the money I raise goes to a good cause..so..*shrugs* I'm putting up with the irritation and smiling and saying "Merry chistmas" anyway.

no you guys don't annoy me i alway's try to give to the bellringers when i can.

I am very appreciative of the people who give their time to do this sort of thing. I am not appreciative of those who stand outside of Wal-mart and run me down as I exit the building. You picked a good charity, patt on the back for you!

I actually like bell ringers, they help people that need it. I started a discussion on charity (http://www.mylot.com/w/discussions/422871.aspx), but like my discussion stated, I can't afford to spare much this year. So I feel kinda embarrassed, like the bell ringers will think I'm cheap. But keep up the good work & if you can, will you look at my discussion link & help me out with some advise?

Thanks for volunteering as a bell Ringer for the Salvation Army. I understand that they had a shortage of ringers last year. You don't annoy me at all. It's the school kids organizations that annoy me. They could be working for their money. Working for a charity for donations do not botherme at all.

I do not mind the bell ringing when I am in my car. But I am plagued with headaches and many things set one off. So, to that...yes, the bell ringing annoys me. However, the bell RINGER does not annoy me. Two different things! I don't like the bell when I walk by because it is so loud. I have questioned many times wondering if a bell ringer gets lots of headaches or still hears the ringing when they stop. So finally, you can answer those questions for me!!! :) However, the bell ringer does not annoy me. I often drop what change I have and smile at the person. I once worked in a store that had a bell ringer just outside. He knew the bell ringing hurt my head and would stop when I walked up. He was a very sweet person! Bell ringing goes with the holidays and charity. There is nothing annoying about that. I just wish the bell wasn't so loud as I walked by. And no, I have never looked at a bell ringer with an annoyed look. :) I always smile.

Two summers ago my husband and I (along with the help of a few other adults) took 9 kids from our church to Chicago for a mission's trip. We went to see what Sunshine Ministries did in Chicago with inner city kids. While we were there we spent a day helping the Salvation Army. We took a 15 passenger van and followed their Salvation Army truck. We would stop in seemingly empty parking lots and along streets and open the window to the truck. People would come from out of no where and line up for a couple of brats, a piece of bread, and some fruit snacks. It was a very hot day and there was little to drink. Some people explained to us that this is the only meal that they can count on for that WEEK. We handed out brats and listened to their stories. We saw kids with little hope get excited over a single packet of fruit snacks. Before the day was over the truck started to run out of food. On our last stop there wasn't enough food for everyone in line. It was heart breaking. Some of the highschoolers that we were with went to a nearby store and bought pretzels and juice. Another chaperone and a few kids went and bought bread. Another kid bought socks for a man in need while another one left his shoes with him. The Salvation Army gives great hope to people without hope. It gives food to hungry children that might not otherwise get a good "meal". I say, God bless you Bellasmama Tiff! Forget the annoyed faces and try to picture the faces of those who are so thankful for the gift that you are giving them! It still brings tears to my eyes when I think of those who walked away hungry, but I also have great memories of those kids that spent their own money to help those in need.

I love seeing the bell ringers each year like yourself and I hope this tradition continues. It's for such a worthy cause. Thanks for your effort!

i always feel that they are doing a noble thing. volunteering their time to canvass for support to the less fortunate. however you have a point there about bell ringers. they can be very loud at times. and in the hustle and bustle of christmas, sometimes the loud music blaring from shopping centres is enough to drive you mad. if the bell ringers ring too vigourously that can also drive people around them slightly mad. perhaps they should come up with a softer more chiming and tinkly bell instead of a loud rousing one.

They don't bother me.

hey there!First off I want to thank you for doing such a wonderful thing..And as for the people that act annoyed..they are prudes and ignore them.,.Kharma is all i have to say ..and all i ask of you is one thing..PLEASE..SAY THANK YOU TO EVERYONE..this is a big issue in one of the threads i just posted..and its making us sad..Merry Christmas!!

Bell ringers do not annoy me, although there was this one time when the person kept ringing the bell really fast. That was annoying. I give whenever I can even if it's only a little bit of change. Plenty of people appreciate what you do. Ignore the ones who give you dirty looks or put their noses up at you.

I consider the Salvation Army bell-ringers to be an essential part of the holiday season. Especially since I have a child. We spend so much time at Christmas time worried about "What so and so wants" and "How will I make sure I can get that barbie my daughter wants." You have to wonder how parents who don't have the money to put food on their table or warm coats on their kids backs feel on Christmas morning. The Salvation Armymakes it possible for those parents to have some dignity on Christmas day for the most important people in their lives, their children. The Salvation Army Angel Trees amaze me. That must be a huge undertaking. I adopt an "Angel" every year, and it brings me such joy to be able to help a child to have the same kinds of Christmases I was always accustomed to as a child. Some of us are fortunate, but for those who aren't able to spoil the crap out of their kids, I am sure it brings them such joy and hope when they watch their children open these gifts on Christmas and see the happiness in their faces. I commend you for all that you do. You support a great cause and I hope you will feel honored to do such a good work.