In 2016 in response to what I perceived as an abundance of cynicism, I happened upon a feel-good holiday activity that has since become one of my favorite Christmas traditions. I volunteered to be a bell ringer for the Salvation Army. Who knew that spending a couple of hours advocating for others could be so rewarding? As a volunteer, every time someone drops something in the red kettle, I get a dose of dopamine.

This year, my shift started a little slow, but 30 minutes in a passerby struck up a conversation with me asking if the money collected here served the local population. It does. She wanted to know if she could put $100 in the kettle. Yes, of course. Unfortunately, she didn’t have $100 on her so she would note that for the future. I figured I would never see her again. I was wrong, a half hour later she reappeared and stuffed five twenty-dollar bills in the kettle. After running her errands, she had visited the ATM and made good on her intention.

Then, things really picked up! As I have noted in other years, a lot of local people have benefited from the services the Salvation Army provides and are anxious to pay their debt forward. A second group of donors grew up with the tradition of giving during the Salvation Army’s annual Christmas drive, and still a third group of patrons are other bell ringers who like me can’t walk by a red kettle without dropping something in it.

In the last couple of years, people would often stop to tell me they would donate, but they no longer carried any cash. I suggested stopping by the bank early in December to get a roll of quarters or ten one-dollar bills. That way they would be ready to donate when the opportunity presented itself. However, this year, the Salvation Army upped its game. My red kettle had QR codes for $5, $10, and $20 donations, and a code that enabled you to choose your donation amount. I was curious if anyone would be willing to give it a go.

Sure enough, before my shift ended, an older woman remarked, “too bad the Salvation Army doesn’t take credit or debit cards.” Au contraire, I was quick to point out the QR codes and she gamely approached with her credit card. It worked. How do I know? Because I tried it, too. It was easy. When I got home, I checked my bank account and saw my donation. Yippee! It feels good when I give, too.

I am always amazed when people thank me for volunteering. I can’t imagine a better use of two hours of my time than wishing others the season’s best.

From help with groceries to providing transitional housing and to a day center which provides essential services for homeless clients, the Salvation Army is here for our community. If you are feeling overwhelmed by commercialism, sad because you are not going home for the holidays, or just plain want a mood boost, consider volunteering for the Salvation Army. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Bonne Année!

Mary Jeanne Vincent, career expert and strategist, has a coaching practice in Monterey. She may be reached at (831) 657-9151, mjv@careercoachmjv.com, or www.careercoachmonterey.com