Tis' the Season

Charity is an amazing thing, people helping people. Of course, charity can span from any number, whether it be a dollar donation or a million dollar donation. With Christmas upon us charities are seen more publicly than ever, 'Tis the Season, right? But to many holiday shoppers, money is tight, and donation sometimes seem to be lacking.

I am currently working at a CVS/pharmacy as a cashier, and occasionally I do stock and what not. For a while now, ending the eighth, we have been collecting one dollar donations for St. Jude Children's Hospital. The work at St. Jude is amazing, no child is turned away, and they never ever plan to. So, every time a customer make a purchase I ask if they would donate one dollar to St. Jude. There are many customers, for whom I appreciate, that say yes and spare one single. Even some customers who donate multiple times.

The following are answers I have received from customers who deny donating their coveted one dollar bill:

"I did it yesterday." What is one more dollar?

"I wish some one would donate to me." Keep in mind, this woman buys ten dollars worth of items with a one hundred dollar bill, removed from her coach wallet, which was removed from its matching bag.

"......" Being ignored is always fun.

"My sister donated, where are the butterfingers?" So what? You are not your sister!

"I'm poor too." This one is the one that angers me most. Why make a comment if you don't even know what the charity is for. It is not for poor people, it is for children with cancer. Plus, she too was flaunting Coach products; they are not cheap.

I honestly would not be annoyed if a person said flat out, "No." or even, "No, thank you." But why make excuse. It seems as if they are trying to hide from donating.

Where I go to school, we participate in an annual toy drive. I find it amazing to see the teenagers of my generation be so charitable. Many have, and continue to go out of their ways to purchase at least one item for a child this holiday season.



A good thing to do with a toy drive, as I did yesterday, is to go to your local dollar store; mine is Dollar Tree. Head to the toy section and grab the highest quality toys they have. I found products made by Disney and Fisher Price. It is not cheap, it gives you a span of more to buy more at the same quality of every where else.

It is good to be charitable, and I say to all of those out there who have donated this season.
Keep it up! You have made a big difference, whether you know it or not.