'Tis the Christmas season and most of our friends and neighbors feel a renewed spirit of compassion, giving, and neighborly generosity. A parade. Yule tide cheer. People wearing funny red hats, and volunteers giving of themselves in time and currency.

Some things never change. The Salvation Army, a venerable institution by any standard, was unselfishly founded by William Booth in 1865. His ministry from a pulpit did not seem to reach the poor. He changed things. The Salvation Army now has ministries in 106 countries. Its work is desperately needed, now more than ever.

Study its work. You can count on them. Many folks do. You can also count on certain traditions. You will find wonderful people, young and old alike, ringing bells and soliciting donations in front of good small businesses like Pioneer Market. You won’t, however, find them in front of Rite Aid. Too noisy? No soliciting allowed? Corporate policy? Who knows?

The good folks operating the local Rite Aid are splendid people and want to help. Knowing some as I do, they’re surely embarrassed by corporate mentality. But nonetheless this large corporation is in our small town and needs to start “getting it.”

The management of Rite Aid was contacted in August regarding the Salvation Army and volunteer Cub Scouts (another great organization) donating their time and effort in front of Rite Aid. The management agreed that there would be no problem. Great. Huh? Maybe…

Except Dec. 1 when volunteers showed up for duty, They were politely asked to leave, told they had no permission to be there, and that there were noise complaints regarding the bell ringing. Wow.

A second volunteer squadron from a local church was scheduled, but in light of the earlier episode, the church liaison contacted the management once again. During a face-to-face meeting the management of Rite Aid did – to their great credit – explain that at the local level they really wanted to help, but alas, corporate was the boss, and boss said “no.”

Our community must recognize that local Rite Aid employees are good, hard working, caring people. We should also recognize Rite Aid – as a company – could not care less about Mariposa or its citizens.

Moral of story? Shop local while keeping money local – Pioneer Market’s new pharmacy is fast, efficient, and their prices are very competitive, and they give back to the community. A not-sosubtle distinction.

T. Foster