It was long before my time, but I absolutely love Lily Tomlin’s “Telephone Operator” Laugh-In skits. In a hilarious customer service voice, Lily becomes Ernestine – who is eloquence in crass as she calls up folks and celebrities alike about their faulty telephone equipment, unpaid bill or just wants to be caddy about gossip.
Now, have I reached the party to whom I am speaking? (Snort)
Needless to say, it’s hard for me to say the word “ring” without putting a “y-dingy” on the end of it. And with that feel-good charm and spirit, I hope to encourage our community to sign up and ringy dingy the bells for the Salvation Army this season.
Far from a laughing matter, lower income families need help with the essentials, and I have certainly noticed some changes with the nonprofit organization. Carthage has a Salvation Army office, but the nonprofit food pantry and soup kitchen – which did remarkable work and helped tons of local families – has been closed. An image locked in my memory forever was the line of people down River Street needing food baskets.
Carthage is now part of a two-county-wide effort of the Salvation Army, based in Joplin. It’s the same kind of caring, generous hearts running the show, but now the help is shared with all of our surrounding communities.
I love this community and the ways it shows up for those in need. So I know if asked, Carthage can make the bell ringing results soar off the charts. If the local giver has a problem with the geography of where their dollar is going, it should be enough that it’s staying in our area. And whether you’re helping someone in Joplin or Carthage, it shouldn’t matter to a heart that just wants to help.
Hearts have been hardened – I’ve heard it first-hand. There’s too many stories of “people looking for hand-outs,” and donations getting thrown out or sold so that they can “just get the cash.”
Dear reader … do not let the dark world wear down your compassion for humanity. It’s true that some people fall into destructive patterns and don’t know how to accept help, how to manage gifts or how to dream of a better tomorrow. Our role in all this is to be a light.
I hope you light up those red kettles. I know money’s tight – give anyway.
I know the weather will be awful – give anyway.
Let the joy of the season that thrives in your heart echo in your actions this holiday season, and ringy dingy the bells! After this awesome football season, I know you got cowbells! Maybe don’t bring those … But bring instruments, bring the kids, play music on your phone, laugh and chat with people, offer a smile to absolutely everyone who approaches the door. Because it’s not about where the person is who receives the dollar – it’s not about whether or not you feel they deserve it – Nobody deserves the unending love and grace of Jesus Christ and yet we receive it. That’s a message worth repeating.
Bells are mentioned in the Bible when people want to draw attention to something. Draw attention to the needs of our area and watch it bring out the best in this community. Let Carthage be a light in Jasper County.
With every one ringy dingy … two ringy dingy.
