Every year for the last ten years I have taken a shift ringing the bell for the Salvation Army and this year was no different. It is a tradition that I started in December 2016 although at the time I had no idea how meaningful it would be or that it would become a habit.
This year I brought my miniature dachshund puppy, Daphne with me. We parked ourselves in front of the Monterey post office one recent Friday morning. I wore a festive outfit, and she was decked out in her finest holiday dress. Daphne is social and loves people. She was thrilled that so many people wanted to say “hello” and pet her. I can’t help but think her positive energy boosted spirits and donations.
Why do I look forward to this every year? Because it feels so darn good. When I get weighed down by news of war, poverty or man’s inhumanity to man, witnessing the generous outpouring of love from strangers renews my faith in humankind. Volunteering in such a public way gives me a chance to wish friends and strangers a Merry Christmas or Happy Holiday.
Early in my career I worked for Sak’s Fifth Avenue in San Francisco and interacted with the public every day. During the holidays I enjoyed wishing my customers Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah or Happy New Year. As a career coach in private practice, I don’t interact with the public on a daily basis and miss that holiday connection. Being a bellringer enables me to share the holiday spirit and offer a heartfelt seasonal greeting to people as they rush into the post office to mail packages. This year I put out the word on Facebook, and several friends made a point to stop by during my shift with a donation. It was fun to catch up with those whom I hadn’t seen in a while.
What do your donations support? Every dollar you give stays in our local community. From help with groceries to providing transitional housing and a day center for clients experiencing homelessness, to turkey and toy giveaways and much more, the Salvation Army is here for our community. They provide emergency shelter, including hot meals and safe places to stay for individuals and families, financial aid in the form of rental and utility assistance, back-to-school supplies for students, summer camps and music education for children, holiday assistance for families and seniors and vocational training/career guidance to help people get back on their feet.
Why volunteer? Studies show that much like people who regularly express gratitude, people who volunteer are happier, experience less stress, better mental health and an uptick in mood. What’s not to like about that? Volunteering creates a sense of community, adds richness to the social fabric and helps us build connections to a cause greater than ourselves.
If you missed an opportunity this year, contact the local Salvation Army to learn about other ways to volunteer or to get on their email list for next year’s Red Kettle drive. Happy New Year! Bonne Année!
Mary Jeanne Vincent, career expert and strategist, has a coaching practice in Monterey. She may be reached at (831) 657-9151, mjv@careercoachmjv.com, or www.careercoachmonterey.com.
