At grocery stores and public corners around the Commonwealth, people are not flocking to those festively dressed volunteers ringing the old, familiar bells of the Salvation Army. And they’re not alone. Five weeks into its annual Christmas red kettle drive, the Massachusetts division of The Salvation Army has collected less than $1.2 million, which is 22 percent down from last year and well short of the $3.4 million it ended up with last year.
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The Salvation Army has a good intent, and the volunteers are the kettles are mostly decent folks. But the fact remains that it is a religion that has actively worked to unfairly and secretly exclude lesbian and gay citizens from its organization. There are many other charities to support, and I do so all year round. Donate to Goodwill Industries or Boomerangs that supports the AIDS Action Committee, Horizons for Homeless Children, the Home for Little Wanderers, even your local food pantry.
I do not donate to the Salvation Army because I vehemently disagree with their core beliefs on abortion, euthanasia, and homosexuality.
Maybe folks disagree with this organization's discrimination against the gay and lesbian community? There are lots of charities that do good things and serve everyone in need, regardless of their sexual orientation.
I know many who used to drop money into the SA pots every time they passed. As news of the organizations stance on gays has expanded, most are no longer giving. I don't fault the SA for their stance as that is part of their belief system. But it was a major omission on the part of the reporter to not include this aspect in the story. I'm willing to bet that is a major contributor to the decline.