Doing the most good

Ding a ling, ding ding a ling. How could I forget that familiar sound of the holidays? The Salvation Army bell ringers politely reminding you as you go about your shopping that the less fortunate have things on their wish list, too. The coins and bills you slip into the red kettle goes to services like youth programs, homeless shelters, adult rehabilitation, social services, emergency disaster relief, and prison rehabilitation. The Web site says more than 80-cents of every dollar you donate goes to services and donations are tax deductible. Read about ways to donate.

Here's a fun story about how receiving a pair of brown shoes from the Salvation Army as a boy stayed with Ed Nelson.