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Why I stood Outside of Wal-Mart and Collected Donations for 2 Hours

by Lion Larry Leguire

Ever wonder why people stand out in front of a store collecting money for this or that – why do they do it? Most likely it isn’t for money since they usually don’t get paid and are volunteers for this or that organization. And, it can’t be for the money because many of the volunteers could easily pay outright as much as they sometimes collect. Heck, paying outright would save them the aching legs and sore feet that come with standing on concrete for several hours. No, there must be another reason why these doctors and lawyers and farmers and bankers would stand in front of a storefront asking for money from complete strangers…what could it be?

I suppose the reasons for standing in front of a store soliciting donations are as varied as the number of nonprofit organizations in Ohio – thousands. I’m also sure they’re all worthy causes. But what got me out in front of Wal-Mart on a sunny and beautiful day in July was the LIONS.

Immediately, the word “LIONS” conjures-up donating glasses for third world countries or the LIONS Eye bank or the LIONS funded Pilot dogs for the blind or the Ohio LIONS Eye Research Foundation. Or, you may think of the LIONS because you recently saw LIONS members picking-up trash on the side of the road or perhaps you picnicked at a LIONS park recently.

But why? Why did I spend a few hours in front of a store, soliciting donations? Ever try to solicit donations from complete strangers? Heck, my wife won’t give me money and you expect strangers too?

Well, the reason why I solicited donations on a beautiful summer evening in July was because I didn’t want to let down and say no to the wonderful LIONS members from my club, who spent weeks getting ready for the major fund raiser. You can’t imagine how hard these men and women work at helping the less fortunate, the out-of-luck, the families that truly fall-through-the-cracks. How can you say no to people that work so hard?

Imagine just for a moment that in your busy life you spend an extra 10 hours per month helping someone else? That’s something like 2 – 3 hours per week. Some would ask why? Most don’t have the time. Some just don’t care.

But the LIONS care.

That is why those people stand in front of stores soliciting donations. The LIONS care and, you know, I guess I care too.