I think I should start by abbreviating that title because...well, let be honest...it is a little BIG! This is going to be a topic for the next few weeks so I am going to call is S.A.C.K.A.

If you follow my Seeds of Love Blog you know that in a couple of days Steve and I were supposed to be getting on a plane with about 25 other people to making our way to Colombia to do some work. As it is the trip has been postponed as there is gang war fare going on in the city right now and it is quite the hot pot...not exactly a safe place for a group of whities to be.

So, though disappointed, I know that when the right time comes we will be there.....in the mean time I wanted to do something in the way of giving this Christmas Season...so a few weeks back we went to The Salvation Army’s local church to see what they are in need of.

Here in Maple Ridge our Salvation Army runs a year-round shelter called The Caring Place. They offer shelter beds for 16 homeless men and nine homeless women in dorms upstairs. Check- in begins at 7:30pm; on a first come first served basis...intake can be done all night if there is space available. Residents must be out by 8:00am. Meals are included and they offer locker storage, and clothing. Maximum stay is 7 nights; and people are eligible again after seven days out. They run a kitchen as well and evening meals are open to anyone in need. Now with the winter descending upon us, they turn the mess hall portion of the building into sleeping quarters to get more of the homeless out of the cold.

So with all that they do I knew that there had to be a place where I could offer my time....and by the title you already know that I am manning a Christmas Kettle.

My first day was yesterday....I will be doing Mondays 9:30-2:30 and Wednesdays 12:30-2:30 till Dec. 21st. 7 days.

As I was standing in the cold ringing my bell I realized  I had a prime seat for people watching and I thought this may be an interesting topic to write about....the people I see and meet while ringing my bell for money....thus S.A.C.K.A was born and so it begins.

So today these were some of the things I learnt:

-there is a lot of underlying sadness...even for those who appear to be happy..I felt a lot of sadness

-people do want to connect more than not....for most people all it took was for me to smile at them for them to respond

-elderly ladies on their scooters are a danger on the sidewalks and in the grocery stores!!!! there was one in particular today that was just zipping around with her little white leather cowboy boots...people actually had to jump out of the way...quite comical from where I was standing but a little dangerous for others!!

-people buy A LOT of pop...this surprised me, I had no idea the high consumption of pop....especially on a Monday, I understand it a little more closer to the weekend but on Monday???? who knew?!

-the elderly give generously as do the lower income people

-I was moved to tears more than once by some of the people who gave....I knew they did no have much themselves and they gave...the poor helping the poor...and they would always apologize about not giving enough

-a man told me all about his wife’s charity in Rwanda ...they had just had a fundraiser the week before...raised $25,000...it is the only charity he give to along with The Salvation Army! He dropped some money in the kettle and was on his way as quickly as he came....he left.

-Larry came and sang some Christmas sons with me...he is one of the clients from the Caring Place...he plays in the worship band at the church. Larry is a dynamic out going man who I am sure suffers from bi-polar disorder or something along those lines. He is doing his best in a world that is hard for him to navigate in. I loved singing with him...that was probably my favourite part....we sang about 3 songs and then he had to move on...Larry can not stay in one place for too long of a time.

-there were the few...and I am happy to say few that would not give me eye contact AT ALL!!! like if they did I would force them to give me money...so funny...it is just little ol’ me ringing my bell

-others looked on knowingly

-other kettle volunteers came and told me their stories of manning the kettle...it was like a little community opened up to me

-little old ladies like to give you fruit

That is pretty much it for day one.

I have to commend the Salvation Army Staff as they are so attentive to the volunteers..checking up and bring warm drinks...even would have brought me a sandwich from The Caring Place if I had said yes...but I was OK.

I hope to round up some of my mamma’s to sing some carols one day and the kids to come out with me one day as well...Nate with his guitar.

The four hours went surprisingly quick and I really enjoyed it...I think I may have looked a little crazy as I was smiling the whole time...I just couldn't help it the light was just pouring out of me!

We will see what comes with the next 6 days...stay tuned

(to see an update on Seeds of Love go to the header and click on the blog....)