put a Nickel in the Drum

“Salvation Army, Salvation Army, put a nickel in the drum, save another drunken bum . . . put a nickel in the drum and you’ll be saved.” These words, sung lustily from time to time on the high school band bus as we traveled to the weekly football games, provide a perspective on charitable giving that may have been good for a snicker in the teen culture of the early 70s, but causes me to shudder in 2020.

Where do I start? The image comes from the practice of The Salvation Army to hold open air meetings, where the faithful gathered on urban street corners to play a hymn or two, preach the gospel, and invite listeners to kneel for prayer at the bass drum. Contributions were either collected in a tambourine or placed on that same drum. 

Times have changed since that little ditty was composed. We seldom see a Salvation Army quartet and an overturned drum on the street corner, much to the chagrin of those who long for the good old days. We’ve definitely come to a better understanding of addiction that changes our vocabulary from “drunken bum” to “a person struggling with addiction.” And theologically, most people of a religious persuasion recognize that a nickel (or a thousand dollar bill) will not purchase an experience of religious conversion for anyone, ourselves included. 

What hasn’t changed is the willingness of people to “put a nickel in the drum,” or, as more recently experienced, in the Christmas kettle, with the expectation that through the ministry of The Salvation Army, someone who is struggling with addiction, loneliness, or poverty might find sobriety, companionship and hope.

It is a remarkable thing, this willingness of people to give money to help someone they don’t know. The same phenomena takes place during a United Way campaign, as virtual strangers pledge funds to support the work of the partner agencies who serve people in their community. Workplace giving is prominent, where factory workers, bank tellers, teachers, union members, and others gladly say, “Sure, take $2 a week out of my pay so someone in my community will have someplace to turn when they’re needing help.” 

Need assistance when receiving a cancer diagnosis? A United Way partner agency stands ready to help. Experiencing addiction, homelessness, domestic violence, disaster, mental health challenges, or life with wayward teenagers? United Way partner agencies open their doors wide each day to help Ashlanders face the most difficult of life issues with care and compassion. 

This year’s United Way campaign, with the theme “Rockstars and Legends,” is just about history. It’s currently raised 94.25% of its goal, needing $48,843 to fund its commitment to the fifteen partner agencies. If every person in Ashland County put $1.00 (twenty nickels) “in the drum” of United Way this week, the goal would be met. 

Twice a year, local NPR stations (National Public Radio) host a fund drive on the air, a limited number of days when donations are requested toward their financial goal. I have good intentions about making a pledge, but since I only listen to the station in the car, by the time I get home, the old adage is true: “Out of sight, out of mind.” Yet in the final days of December, the message was something like this: “Even though our fund drive is over (which I interpreted as if you were a slacker and didn’t get around to donating), it’s not too late to give.”

While we’re still breathing, it’s never too late to give. And technically, even once we stop breathing, our giving can continue – McDonald’s heiress Joan Kroc is proof of that, to Ashland’s benefit.

The language surrounding charitable giving is more nuanced since my high school band bus days, but the need for those dollars has not disappeared. There’s still time to put a nickel in the drum of United Way, The Salvation Army, or other charitable choices. It’s doubtful that nickel will save you, nor will it make you a rockstar or legend, but it can help to save a neighbor from homelessness, hunger, and despair. That’s an investment I’m glad to make all year long.