In the spirit of the meddling Jerry Jones

We tend to make up our minds pretty quickly about people -- sometimes too quickly. I've never had much use for Jerry Jones of Dallas Cowboys fame, for example. My view of him has been settled for some time -- as a meddling, uber-wealthy NFL owner who can't stop but interfering with the operation of his franchise. If we met, I'm not sure if we'd get along, but I heard something recently about Jones that has made me change my tune. At the very least, I feel warmer toward the former oil wildcatter who has made a fortune through his pro team.

Jerry Jones is a longtime, fervent supporter of the Salvation Army, one of the true do-good universal charities -- along with the Red Cross and Habitat for Humanity and scores of others. Jones' patronage was brought to my attention by Capt. Ronnie Amick, who along with his wife, Bridgette, are commanders of the Salvation Army in Cape Girardeau. Jones has used the Cowboys' high-profile Thanksgiving halftime show to raise money for the "Army," raising an estimated $1.6 million over the past 15 years.

Jerry Jones has never been poor. His dad owned a chain of grocery stores, and the future NFL chieftain worked for his father in one of them. What explains the devotion to this single charity? Perhaps, Capt. Ronnie told me, it is as simple as Jones receiving a cup of coffee from a uniform-clad Army representative in the street or maybe Jones had a Salvation Army camp experience as a youth. (The S.A. does run summer camps, you know.)

Think about the causes you support and why you are faithful to their mission. It might be that your backing is a result of looking at a year-end report and noting the good deeds done by that organization. Some of us have to see it on paper. Others are moved when their heartstrings are touched. You saw a video or heard a testimonial from someone who was suddenly impoverished and who was helped in a mighty way. Your reasons to be faithful to a charity might be unapologetically personal. It might be simply that on a cold day in which you found yourself chilled to the bone, someone handed you a cup of hot coffee. And you never forgot it.

Christmas is called the season of giving. For a person of Christian faith, this is the time of year we recall the gift of a Son, come to set the people free from sin. I like to think that as we receive the gift of Jesus anew this year, we once again catch God's boundless spirit of generosity and decide to share gifts with others. Christmas is the time, beyond all others, when our hearts are moved to give.

Hearing about Jerry Jones' Salvation Army devotion has caused me to rethink my dismissal of him as a human being. His heart was touched long ago by something, and he never seems to forget it. He puts his money where his mouth is.

Your favorite charities are depending on you at year's end. Whatever organizations you support -- they need you. If not now, when? If not you, who? I never imagined I'd write the following words, but may the spirit of Jerry Jones be upon you this season.