Doing the most good...

Without using google... do you know whose motto is Doing the most good?

I will give you a few hints. At least once in your life I would guess you have helped this organization. You have probably seen at least five individuals volunteering for this organization already this season (if not more). And you might have even been annoyed because someone was blocking your way to the entrance or exit because of them.

Any ideas?

If you guessed The Salvation Army. You would be correct, have yourself a coffee and a cookie on my behalf.

Now why on earth would I be blogging about these bell ringing, Christmas hat wearing, red bucket toting, cheery folks out in front of the local Hobby Lobby, Walmart... etc.

Because The Salvation Army is a big part of who I am today. Don't know where the money goes that you donate? I do. It goes into a fund that truly Does the most good.

Here's my story and I am sticking to it.

My mom became a single parent when I was around six years old. My biological father was an alcoholic and into drugs and well... that is his story not mine. He left.

Single parenthood is not something I would wish on anyone. Life was hard. Not, oh poor me hard, but it was for real hard. Scrapping together money for groceries. Working two jobs while trying to go to school to get a better job. It was hard for my mom.

That is where The Salvation Army stepped in.

I am not exactly sure how my mother got hooked up with the program, but we attended the Salvation Army for quite some time. These people truly cared about us. I can't even find the words to express how much this facility meant to me and my sisters.

Years later around Christmas, my youngest sister and I happened to be heading to Walmart with my mom. When we got out of the car, we could hear the soft tinkling of the bell; the bell we were all too familiar with. They are everywhere during the Christmas season.

We headed into the store and I intended to pass the ringer and just offer a smile... my mom had other plans. She stopped in front of the ringer and opened her wallet and then began to fill the bucket with every bill she had in her wallet.

I bet my shocked face was hilarious to someone.

Her explanation was very simple and filled with a string of emotions, "They did so much good for you girls, I never miss the opportunity to give when I see them. I am afraid to think of how you guys would have turned out without the Salvation Army having been there for you, when I couldn't. My little bit will help some other child who needs to know they are loved and cared for."

The people of this facility made an impact on my life. I still remember their names (most of them), their faces and the love they offered with nothing expected in return.

They sent us to Camp Hoblitzelle... no cost to my mom.

I can't even begin to truly express in any of the RIGHT emotions and words what these people meant to my family. They are truly "Doing the Most Good."

So if you see those annoying bell ringers outside the store this season... will you think twice before walking by? You could be part in changing someone's life for the better.

(And after a quick trip to Google... I am delighted to see the both the facility and the camp still exist. Salvation Army the: Northside Childcare Center ‎3023 Northwest 24th Street, Fort Worth, TX‎ and Camp Hoblitzelle 8060 Singleton Rd Midlothian, TX 76065)