One of the greatest pleasures we have in radio is being able to make someone’s dream come true. Well, OK. We’re not giving away “lottery” money, but we DO give away our share of tickets, CDs, t-shirts, getaways, etc. And we do this literally every single day! It’s a part of what we do in radio. We love our listeners.
As we approach another “holiday” season, many of you have grown accustomed to us coming out into your community. However, over the next several weeks, it will be with an entirely different motive. This year, just as we have the past 3 years, we will “flip the script”. Instead of the QMG van and staff handing out family four-packs of tickets, music, t-shirts and all, we’ll ask YOU to dig down deep into your pockets (and into the inner recesses of your heart), and give.
You have done so bountifully over the years, and I’m confident that you will again be an example of a generous, “cheerful giver”.
However, I admittedly must confront my disdain for the people who will knowlingly approach the station van with absolutely no desire to give and every intention of getting as much as they can from us. And by the way, most of the time, they are so easy to spot. Yet, on occasion, I’ve been personally humiliated by my own lack of discernment and taught a valuable lesson regarding the danger of my own prejudices.
I can clearly remember a time I just knew I was being approached by someone who was simply going to act like they didn’t know what was going on and “hang around” long enough to get at least “two” of everything the station had to give away. Boy, was I wrong. Despite his worn, homeless appearance, a “fifty-ish” yr old, unshaven man walked toward me with an outstretched arm, slowly revealing his decayed teeth as he managed a smiled. “Here we go again”, I thought. Instead, as he opened his clutched fist and peeled back his dirty hand, there sat a crumpled $100 bill. Outwardly, I went throught the motions of looking into his eyes and mouthing a genuine, yet surprising, “Thank you”. Yet, inwardly, I justifiably felt like a lousy, slimy hypocrite, totally unworthy of accepting his gift, yet alone being in his presence.
Sadly, and much more often though, I see my share of BMW, Mercedes, and Lexus brand vehicles drive up; inquire what we we’re doing; ignore our appeal to help the less fortunate; proceed to ask us what we have to giveaway; demand some CDs; then pull away only leaving the fumes from their new automobile’s dual exhaust system. I guess we deserve to be choked up from the thought that people might really care enough to give back without expecting something in return.
Over the course of the next several weeks, my prayer is that we will find common ground and understanding regarding charity. If we are out accepting donations for those less fortunate, I hope that you’ll look to, first, give. And I hope that I won’t make the mistake of thinking that as you drive up in your nice car you’re just not wanting something from us.
However, I must admit, I’ll be looking for ones who walk and up and don’t “look the part”. I call them our ”hidden treasures in darkness”. The lesson they teach might just be the best gift any person could receive this “Holy-Day” season.
Lesson learned.
Joseph Level
