Bell ringers are already out in front of the big stores in my town.

[Winterblues]

Isn't it just a little early? Maybe the need is greater this year but still why are they dressed in Santa get-ups almost a month before Thanksgiving?

[meegbear]

1. I work above a greenhouse and the first tree deliveries are this Monday ...

they'll be propped and ready at the end of the day.

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

2. As you said

The need is greater this year.

If you have spare change in your pocket, put it in the bucket!

[Winterblues]

6. I always do even though I disagree with the politics of the Salvation Army

over "the gay agenda" I still give to them because they do give relief to so very many people...

[littlebit]

10. I'm the same way.

[stopbush]

16. Not me. Plenty of other charities out there who do just as good a job

if not better and don't find the need to openly discriminate against their fellow citizens.

Fuck the Salvation Army.

[Iggo]

17. Yep.

I used to put a fiver in the can every time I walked by because there're a lot of people I know who might be dead if it weren't for their drug program. I myself went the cold turkey, white-knuckler, seven meetings per week route. But hey, whatever works.

In the last couple of years, though, it's geting harder and harder for me to ignore organized discrimination.

I think they can live without my fin from now on.

[onenote]

3. they are starting early this year because donations are down

http://www.seacoastonline.com/articles/20081010-NEWS-81010039

[Liberal_in_LA]

4. too early!

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

11. But just the right time to rethink that nym?

At this festive time of year, Mr. Scrooge, it is more than usually desirable that we should make some slight provision for the poor and destitute, who suffer greatly at the present time.

Why? Are there no prisons? Are there no workhouses?

Many can't go there; and many would rather die.

If they would rather die, they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population.

[tblue]

5. It's a living.

Sad to see, but at least it's an honest day's work and maybe it's for a good cause. At least Christmas didn't start in October. I've seen stores in earlier years with Christmas crap for sale before Halloween!

[BattyDem]

7. The "holiday season" gets earlier every year

106.7 Lite FM in NYC played it's first Christmas song ... on Halloween! :headbang:


(I'm serious! I can't remember what the song was - I was so freakin' stunned - but three days later, I heard "Holly Jolly Christmas" on the same station.)

[emilyg]

8. I give.

[AlCzervik]

9. i heard Christmas music at Kohl's before halloween.

Noooooooo!

[4_TN_TITANS]

13. Kohl's is beyond desparate here..

they are advertising themselves out of business with a sales flyer in the local paper every day. Here in TN, the dept stores are suddenly competing with Walmart on just about everything. It's going to be a bleak holiday season. After the prolonged hosing from Big Oil over the summer, the cards are maxed out and winter heating costs are kicking in. Even grocery stores are desparate, I'm stocking up on sales over the weekend to fill the freezer.

[AlCzervik]

14. everything is looking pretty desperate here right now, business's closing up

big and small. It's a little scary to tell you the truth.

[mitchtv]

12. Sorry SA coal for you this year

I hope they don't expect gays to participate in their View of a society where we are second class citizens. There have been instances of them rejecting referrals from the MCC. They had the nerve to send Partner and I , each a request for donation. We will contribute to secular charities that help Gays. Until we get our civil rights back.Same goes for Catholic Charities. The hate us , they don't need our money. To Hell with False Xians.

[MercutioATC]

15. I haven't dropped a dollar in a kettle since I heard about their anti-gay stance.