Grand Meander

In an effort to get to know the St. Paul community better, I spent some time at the Grand Meander in St. Paul on Saturday. I met some great people at the various events--pancake breakfast, trolley rides, etc.--and was able to learn about what others are doing in the area to help those in need. It was great to be able to share information about my role at The Salvation Army and all of the different programs we do during the Christmas season to try to provide some relief to others, while also hearing about what else is happening in St. Paul and throughout the twin cities in other organizations.

I also had my very first bell-ringing experience, and it was cold. We had red kettles all the way up and down Grand Avenue for this event, and I took my bell-ringing post on the corner of Snelling and Grand from 3-5pm. As the sun started to set a little after 4:00, it got colder and windier, and my shivers were strong enough to make the bell ring in my hand without any help from me! I think that I elicited more sympathy than dollars and coins from the passers-by, but all I could think of, while my eyes watered in the wind and then froze to my cheeks, was of all of the people who were out in the cold with nowhere to go. I was counting the minutes until I could get into my warm car and go home to my warm apartment, but not everyone is that fortunate. I am so thankful for The Harbor Light and other shelters in the Twin Cities, because this was definitely a reality check for me to get a very small glimpse in to what it is like for those with no home to stay safe and warm in during these bitterly cold winter months.