The lawyer representing the city thinks the amount should be at least 75% {since he is taking 33%}.
Merry Christmas.
Posted on 12/20/2007 5:09:59 AM PST by IrishMike
An Army veteran who remembered getting free coffee and doughnuts from the Salvation Army decades ago gave a $10,000 check to a dumbfounded bell-ringer.
"The $10,000 is to help pay for my coffee and donuts," he said in a handwritten note signed, "P.F.C." "Seems fair to me after 40+ years, with inflation and everything."
The man gave the check to a volunteer outside a department store at the Exton Mall on Friday, said Capt. Gerald Morgan, a spokesman for the Salvation Army of Greater Philadelphia.
The man remembered being given coffee and doughnuts while serving in World War II and wanted to return the kindness, Morgan said. His name was on the check and he has given large amounts in the past, but he asked the Salvation Army not to identify him.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
A great Christmas story and thanks for posting it.
I found a little more info from CBS 3 of Philadelphia:
The Salvation Army received a surprise donation over the weekend proving the Christmas spirit is alive throughout the Delaware Valley.
A man remembered being given coffee and doughnuts by the Salvation Army 40 years ago at a lonely Army army outpost while on duty.
He never forgot their generosity and decided to pay them back last Saturday at the Exton Square Mall.
Volunteer, Don Stout, was on duty when the Good Samaritan visited the mall and expressed his generosity.
“There was a gentleman about my age standing right next to me, asking me if I thought I was going any good here,” said Stout.
The man was holding a check and a letter explaining his reasons for giving back.
“I turned the check over and saw it was for $10,000. It took my breath away,” said Stout.
Stout was in the Marines when the donor was in the Army. “I stepped back and gave him a salute and he saluted back to me and we both hugged each other.”
The donor is asking to remain anonymous; however his generosity is being felt throughout the Salvation Army community.
The money donated to the Salvation Army will stay in the Exton area and every last dime will help needy children around the holidays.
“I have never in my life heard of a check that size for the Salvation Army,” said Stout.
In another surprising twist to donor told Stout he has given up to $90,000 dollars to the Salvation Army in the past.
There’s a video at CBS3’s site including an interview with volunteer Stout. It also shows a copy of the letter signed “PFC”:
http://cbs3.com/local/Salvation.Army.Donation.2.613733.html
Well, I try and make a habit of sticking at least $1 in the Red Kettle every time I walk past.
It’s only pocket change and adds up the more trips you take.
I do the same.
......................................
I was with the wife and two daughters last Saturday, in one of my least favorite places ..... The Mall
I dropped $5 in the red can at the entrance, and followed the mob into the Mall.
Came across another red can, dropped another $5.
While I was doing that, I ‘lost’ the wife and daughters.
It was a great 2 hours, spent in Dicks Sporting Goods, checking the guns and fishing rods.
Shameful behavior that the Salvation Army supported the US/British/Soviet hegemony in WWII. /sarc
Hahahahaha.
Squeezed in a couple of beers to boot.
Must have made the kettle slosh a bit :)
No, there are public toilets.
Heartwarming. The Salvation Army is one of the most honorable and deserving charities there is. I live in that general area and must have missed it on the local news. Thanks for posting.
Brownies (Salvation Army Soldiers in brown coveralls) delivering hot coffee on the firing line. Red Cross charging you for it in the rear areas.
During Katrina the Salvation Army showed up and asked how they could help. The Red Cross showed up and wanted to be in charge.
I will give money to the Salvation Army, but never to the Red Cross.
..I'm not saying don't give to the Red Cross,I believe they mean well and I'm sure they help out....it's that corporate thing
For the rest of his life, he was a lifelong supporter of the Salvation Army, and refused to give one red cent to the Red Cross.
Mark
The lawyer representing the city thinks the amount should be at least 75% {since he is taking 33%}.
Merry Christmas.
I usually do too but it’s been hard the last two times. Last week one guy was sitting all bent over playing games on his cell phone. A few days ago at another location another was just ringing a bell looking like he would rather be somewhere else. I know I need to look past that to the reason for giving but I miss the smiles and Merry Christmas.
The Salvation Army is great...
The red cross on the other had actually charged GI’s for coffee and doughnuts at their way stations in the pacific during WWII.
Many years ago, my high school history teacher told the story of his returning home from WWII. The part that I have always remembered is that the Red Cross was SELLING coffee and sandwiches to soldiers for 10 cents. The Salvation Army was GIVING free coffee and sandwiches to the soldiers.
I have never donated to the Red Cross because of his comments.
During my time in the Navy, I never had contact like that with eitehr the Red Cross or the Salvation Army. However, I have met and spoken with lots of veterns sharing the same experience you had. The Red Cross sells, the Salvation Army gives. I always put what I can in the kettle.
“my high school history teacher told the story of his returning home from WWII”
From the things my father had said about them, I have no use for them either.
My father told me stories of the Red Cross and selling items, then when I went down to coast to help clean up after a hurricane I was offered coffee at a dollar a cup in the late 60’s.
I drop twenties in the red kettle all the time.
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