Salvation Army Short On Bell-Ringers Turning To Parolees For Help

[matcom]

<snip>

GREENWOOD, Ind. -- Faced with a shortage of bell-ringers, the Salvation Army has turned to an unlikely source -- parolees -- to help bring in cash this holiday season in the Indianapolis area.

Salvation Army Maj. Richard Hartman said about half of the Red Kettle campaign bell-ringers in Johnson County, Ind., are finishing up community service sentences.

Lest that be too tempting, Hartman said each collection bucket is chained and locked so that bell-ringers "can't grab a bucket and walk away with it."

So far, he said, there haven't been any problems.

A judge had to approve the program, which uses non-violent offenders finishing up their community service sentences.

Hartman said when the parolees ring the bell and say "Merry Christmas," they're giving something back to the community.

http://www.wftv.com/holidays/10532976/detail.html

[Deja Q]

1. Cmdr Data knows more about human nature than Hartman...

It's no different than those employment screening tests; the 500 questions you answer determine if you're going to be a good walmart greeter or not who instantly follows orders but with a genuine smile.

OTOH, forcing people to be generous - why can't corporate criminals be forced to do the generous thing and give back to the people they stole from?

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

2. Forcing people to be generous?

I remember a few years when the boss would gather the troops for a United Way kickoff. I don't remember the words, but the message was "you will voluntarily donate generously or I will make your life a living hell". The giving spirit.