Up Close: David Cook

By Charity Corkey (Contact)

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

We have all seen the faithful Salvation Army bell-ringers as we rush in and out of stores, hunched against the cold. As familiar to the holidays as stockings or fruitcake, the volunteers cheerfully brave the weather each season to man the Salvation Army kettles.

David Cook, of Ashburn, began bell-ringing around nine years ago, and said he is most in the Christmas spirit while volunteering.

Cook, 60, gives us an inside look to bell-ringing, and shares some of his most memorable experiences in this email interview.

Q: Why did you decide to volunteer with the Salvation Army?

A: My Church, Crossroads United Methodist Church, is very involved in local missions and ministries and this was one of several opportunities for involvement during the Thanksgiving/Christmas season. As a Christian, I believe that we best serve God when we are giving our time, talents and financial resources to those in need. Too often, I think I lose sight of how blessed I am to have a home, food, shelter, etc. There are so many in our area that don't have even those basic needs. This seemed to be a great way to help.

Photo: Charity Corkey

David Cook, of Ashburn, began bell-ringing around nine years ago, and said he is most in the Christmas spirit while volunteering.

Q: For every 10 people that walk in or out of a store, how many drop change into the Salvation Army kettle?

A: Roughly half, a little more as we get closer to Christmas day.

Q: Over the years, what has been the oddest item that someone has put in your kettle?

A: It wasn't something put in the kettle. Two years ago, I was ringing the bells on an extremely cold morning. One woman put some money in the kettle and then offered to buy me a cup of coffee at the nearby Starbucks. She brought the coffee to me but it was much too hot to drink. I took the lid off to speed the cooling process and held the cup in one hand while ringing the bell with the other. I finally was able to start taking sips of the coffee. There was still about half of the cup left when an elderly Asian woman came up to me, smiled sweetly and proceeded to drop a handful of change into my coffee cup! I don't think she spoke English at all because when I "thanked" her (while wondering if I could still drink the coffee), she just gave me another smile, nodded and proceeded into the Giant.

Q: How often do people stop to talk?

A: Quite often. And it's amazing how many people say "thank you for doing this."

Q: What is the most memorable conversation you have had with a shopper?

A: I will always remember one couple a few years ago. They put some change in the kettle, thanked me for giving of my time and told me that The Salvation Army would always be special to them. A couple of years before then, the husband was injured, they had no insurance and he was out of work. At a time of great need and desperation they contacted The Salvation Army who assisted them and helped them get "back on their feet." They then apologized that they couldn't give more but hoped to be able to do so in the future. Honestly, I don't think I've felt the true spirit of Christmas more than I did at that moment.

Q: What do you find most fulfilling about volunteering?

A: I really am most in the Christmas spirit when I ring the bells. Seeing the smiles on children when they put money in the kettle, talking with parents who want to teach their children the value of giving to others. There are many teenagers who give, etc. Honestly, I'm somewhat selfish in the number of hours I ring each year because I find it so joyful in a season that has become far too frantic and stressful.

Q: What do you find difficult?

A: The people who pull up to the curb, go into the Giant and leave their engine running. After a few minutes of inhaling their exhaust fumes, I start to lose my sense of goodwill towards others!

Q: How do you find the hours to volunteer between your full-time job and spending time with your family?

A: Finding the time isn't an issue. We ring in the evenings and all day on Saturdays. Sometimes, I ring for an hour in the evening on my way home from work and Saturdays are fairly open for me since all of my children are adults and not living at home. But, for many, ringing the bells is a family activity. Many times a parent (or both parents) are there with their children and many have told me it's a great holiday tradition for them.

Q: What do you most enjoy about living in Loudoun?

A: I think what I really appreciate about living in Loudoun County is that although we live in different subdivisions, there is a sense of "community." People really do care about others and are willing to volunteer their time and talents and give of their resources.

Tagged: 2008 Holiday Season, Ashburn, Crossroads United Methodist, holiday, volunteers

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