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OPINIONS
Voice of the people
Bell ringers should remain near doors
How many of us recall that familiar sound of a single bell ringing as we entered a store to shop during the holiday season?
Yes, that bell, how it rang to remind us that the Salvation Army was standing its post, asking us to remember the less fortunate.
These caring people standing in the snow, the rain, the cold -- it didn't matter to them. How many of you hear that bell and respond every year?
Did you find that bell ringing intrusive, or did that sound remind you, like me, how fortunate I was?
Seems times are changing.
On Wednesday, Nov. 28, I approached the front door of a major store.
I heard the bell, but it was not as loud as it once was. I noticed a woman standing in the cold, ringing that little bell.
I walked up to her and asked, "Why so far back from the front door?"
Her response touched me deeply, to say the least. She explained, "The manager of the store just made me move back behind these two dots."
I asked, "Are you getting the same donations?"
The wonderful lady dropped her head, "No, but many people have asked me why I'm so far back from the door. When we were close to the door, we could stand out of weather, but that's OK, I'll ring my bell from here."
I didn't shop there that day and won't for the remainder of the holiday season.
As I was walking back to my truck, I recalled that simple verse from Matthew, "What you do to least of mine, you do unto me." Happy Holidays.
John Queen
Huntington
