BARRE, Vt. – A homeless man thought he was doing some good by standing at a supermarket for 10 hours a day to get shoppers to donate money into a red Salvation Army kettle.

The shelter where Paul Tucker lives doesn’t see it that way.

The Good Samaritan Haven ordered him out by Saturday, saying 48-year-old Tucker is spending his time raising money for the needy instead of finding a home or looking for work.

The 20-bed shelter offers emergency housing, clothing and food, and requires clients each day to look for housing or go to work, executive director Paul Mascitti said.

Tucker has been there since May.

“If you’re not doing anything 10 hours a day, whether it’s lounging on a beach or working for the Salvation Army or sitting at a Dunkin’ Donuts, you’re breaking your contract with us,” Mascitti said.

“I can’t see someone saying, ‘I’m going to benefit mankind when I haven’t taken care of myself.'”

Man, 72, drives off robber while working on display

WESTBURY, N.Y. – A 72-year-old man fought off a would-be robber who brandished a gun, wrecked his Christmas decorations, and allegedly had been sent by his nephew in search of jewelry and cash, police said.

“I don’t know how I got the power,” said the victim, Reinaldo Herrera.

Herrera was working on his outdoor Christmas light display Tuesday afternoon when Santos Zelaya, 21, followed him into his suburban home on Long Island and confronted him with what turned out to be a pellet gun, police said. Herrera believed it was a real firearm.

Demanding cash and jewelry, Zelaya tore down Herrera’s living room Christmas tree and Nativity scene, Detective Lt. Raymond Cote said.

“Jesus, Mary and the wise men all fell to the ground,” Cote said.