Hey, there! Log in / Register
Getting ahead of yourself there, aren't you, Mr. Bellringer?
By adamg on Tue, 11/02/2010 - 1:24pm
A concerned citizen passes along this photo of, yes, a Salvation Army bellringer, today, Election Day, outside the Government Center T stop. Paging Dr. Suldog.
Free tagging:
Ad:
Support Universal Hub
Help keep Universal Hub going. If you like what we're up to and want to help out, please consider a (completely non-deductible) contribution.
Comments
!!!!!!!!!!!
O
M
G
Call the Salvation Army
Tell them they should fire this guy for being 11 months late for his job.
If you're going to call the Salvation Army
make sure to tell them they should ditch the homophobic policies and position statements.
Maybe also call the City of Boston and tell them that someone's collecting money for homophobia on city property.
No - someone's raising money
No - someone's raising money for homeless people, drug addicts, alcoholics.... Of course, you don't care about any of that. You only care about yourself.
and gay homeless people, drug addicts, alcoholics
Who aparently not allowed in "the church"
Clearly that's it
Actually, I've never applied for a job there nor considered it. They've never discriminated against me. I urge them to change their policies for the sake of other people. In the meantime, I support other organizations that help people in these ways under a statement of nondiscrimination and advocacy for all people.
There's one at Summer and
There's one at Summer and Chauncy in downtown, too.
I saw a Salvation Army
I saw a Salvation Army bell-ringer working outside of the Prudential Center right after dinner yesterday. He was right across the street from the Apple store.
Ugh
You know, I've always been a big supporter of the Sallies. I donate to them often, both via mail from at home and when I see a bellringer. All I've ever heard about their charitable operations has been positive, and I've known a few folks who have had to take advantage of that good help. This truly saddens me.
I'll be writing to them, at least. I'll let you know what return mail I get.
Suldog
http://jimsuldog.blogspot.com
Salvation Army Reply - More To Follow
[names and other identifiers redacted]
I wrote the following to them, via e-mail:
I donate regularly to the Sallies already, both via mail and when I see a bellringer. However, I must say that I was saddened to see a kettle out in Boston today. It is far too early. I deplore the virtual ignoring of the Thanksgiving holiday (not to mention Veterans Day) that has become more and more prevalent in our society's rush toward Christmas. To see the Salvation
Army contributing to this trend...
Look, I know the need is great. I understand the why. But I have been fighting against "Christmas creep" for years, and the bellringers are virtually synonymous with the Christmas season. I thrill to see them at the correct time. To see them out now drives me nuts.
I hate to say this, but I will NOT donate to the Salvation Army while I see you and your organization contributing your presence to this hideous trend. When the actual Christmas season rolls around, I'll be happy to drop a few twenties in the buckets, as I usually do. And maybe I'll resume my giving via check. But not at present. No way. I'm sorry.
Jim Sullivan
Watertown, MA
A swift reply from them:
Dear James,
Thank you for your email. I'm copying Major ******** on this email so he is aware of your thoughts on this issue. The kettle kickoff usually isn't until Thanksgiving day. I'm sure Major ******** will be able to shed some light on this. Do you know where you saw The Salvation Army Kettle stand? I'm actually the Business Manager of The Salvation Army ****** *******. Kettles are not under my management, but I'll try to find out about the early start this year.
I wrote back, directing him to this thread. Perhaps we'll hear from them directly here.
Again, I think they are a wonderful charitable organization, and I have heard first-hand accounts from people, both relatives and friends, who have benefited from their work. The reply was quick and seems quite sincere. We'll see what comes next.
Suldog
http://jimsuldog.blogspot.com
They were at South Station
They were at South Station too. And the Starbucks holiday cups are apparently out. Bah Humbug!
Yes, god forbid that these
Yes, god forbid that these charity assholes get out there early and try to solicit donations for the needy. It's much more important that they abide by social convention that sees them as associated with the Christmas season which is supposed to start later, than to have then raise more money to help the poor by instituting a longer solicitation period.
Indeed
Indeed. I gave up on these particular "charity assholes" after they tried to get themselves declared a religious organization so they could fire their gay employees. There's helping people. Other actual charities get my money now.
They didn't try to get
They didn't try to get anything. They are a religious organization.
Yeah, the problem is with the laws
Religious organizations shouldn't be exempt from laws existing in their municipality.
Er...
Was the word "Salvation" in their name somehow not A Giant Fucking Clue as to their aims? Geez.
So, if starting the Christmas season
earlier and earlier every year is supposed to dramatically increase revenue (for both charities and businesses), then please explain all the post-Christmas news items about "OMG - do you know how bad holiday revenues were for the retailers this year" that the media has reported like clockwork every year for well over a decade now since the marketing types have accellerated "Christmas creep".
As for the "Army", between Thanksgiving and Christmas I normally walk by four to five bellringers each morning on my commute into work, and then by four to five bellringers each night on my way home. Frankly, I can do without the saturation. Just like with the retailers.
I think it's great that they
I think it's great that they are out early. It will generate more revenue for the charity and thus effect the needy more. There are definitely more in need this year than there has been in the past.
They Won't Generate More Revenue From Me
I just told them that. And I'm a very decent contributor throughout the year, not just coins in the buckets.
Being a charity doesn't earn you an automatic pass. Sorry.
Suldog
http://jimsuldog.blogspot.com
Well, to the people who can't
Well, to the people who can't necessarily afford or don't have a checking account to give lump sums throughout the year, tossing some change in a bucket gives them an opportunity to help out.
What is wrong with you?
You Tell Me
I haven't made a value judgment on you. If you think there's something wrong with me, then feel free to speculate as to what exactly my problem may be. Then, fair being fair, maybe I'll speculate about what your problem might be. And we can have this devolve into a pissing contest. Instead, how about we have a discussion?
I'm all for people helping out - and if dropping some change in the bucket gives them that opportunity, more power to them. Does limiting the buckets appearances to December deny them the opportunity to help? It hasn't in the past, so far as I know. As a matter of fact, it is precisely because of the "Christmas season" that the buckets even exist.
Suldog
http://jimsuldog.blogspot.com
You're so into yourself that
You're so into yourself that it is absolutely disgusting. It comes across on your blog and also in your letter to them. I agree that Thanksgiving is a forgotten family-based holiday and should be re-recognized, but your brash crusading isn't going to get anywhere and it's certainly not the way to go about raising awareness.
I stick to my bucket opinions. It's a chance for those to give who can't normally give. Who's going to pay 44c postage to mail a quarter or two to them at some random time of the year? How are some of those people even going to get stamps, as you can't buy them separately? The bucket just gives them a quick way to donate and make their own difference.
Amazing
Look, if you don't like me, fine. I'd prefer that everybody love me, but I learned long ago that ain't gonna happen. Sorry you find me brash and absolutely disgusting. Now, can we talk?
For one thing, anybody can buy a stamp individually. Where you got the notion that you can't do so, I have no idea. But that isn't the point, so let's not dwell on it. The buckets EXIST because of the Christmas season. Period. If they want to extend the opportunity to put money into them, fine. Here's the point of the argument, if you'd like to stick to it: I say they shouldn't be dressing like Santa Claus and ringing bells if they want to extend their season. That's all I have a problem with.
Damn.
Suldog
http://jimsuldog.blogspot.com
The Salvation Army is just
The Salvation Army is just one charity group. Refusal to donate to them because you don't like how they approach their fundraising drive doesn't make you "disgusting" or a bad person.
Neither does providing feedback as a long-time donor disapproving of a change in their fundraising approach.
Let Me Be Clear
Perhaps I gave the impression that my giving by check or whatever was somehow more noble than someone who drops change in the buckets. I was NOT trying to give that impression. I drop change in the buckets as well as whatever else I do. ALL giving is noble, and someone who makes little but contributes from that little... well, Jesus said something about that, and I agree with it. I did NOT mean to give the impression that my total giving, if a bit larger than change, was somehow high and mighty.
If I gave that impression, it's my fault for not wording my thoughts correctly. I mentioned my yearly giving habits only to point out what they may be losing as a result of this, and why, in light of others perhaps feeling the same way, why they may wish to alter the plan.
Suldog
http://jimsuldog.blogspot.com
Your initial thoughts and
Your initial thoughts and sub-conscious delivery are usually the ones that you actually believe in and are the most powerful. After-thoughts are typically formulated stories or opinions.
You consistently brought up the fact that you donate lump sums to them. The point was clear.
Oh, A Psychology Major
OK. You don't like me. I'll stop.
Happy?
Besides....
We all know Suldog is swimming in cash. Farking loaded. ;-)
I don't get it, either, Suldog. You say you donate to a charity and get jumped on? I didn't read any implication that you singlehandedly funded SA or acted like a drug lord dropping fistfulls of hundreds into the buckets. Oh well.
I didnt realize charity was
I didnt realize charity was limited to 3 weeks of the year
Hardly
But when you dress your folks in seasonal garb, and equip them with bells to ring, and you've garnered goodwill for years because of the time of the season when you do these things, then you can expect a bit of backlash when you try to expand it beyond the season you have chosen to identify yourselves with in the past.
They send out mailings all year. I have no problem with that, and I contribute, often. The bellringers, on the other hand, should not be out until the season for which they are garbed.
Suldog
http://jimsuldog.blogspot.com
It's not
I just wish the annoying bell ringing was!!
I saw the bell ringer at
I saw the bell ringer at Government Center YESTERDAY!! November first!!!