Black Friday: Salvation Army worker rings in holiday cheer at NSB Wal-Mart
Posted Fri, 2008-11-28 21:06
NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- While countless shoppers got up at the crack of dawn this "Black Friday" morning to rifle through the aisles of the Wal-Mart on State Road 44 in search of super-discounted merchandise, Myrtle Richardson was getting ready to go to do her job -- stand in front of the store all day and ring the bell for the Salvation Army.
"God bless you," she said as every fourth or fifth shopper passed by and dropped a dollar bill or change into the kettle."
There was really no way of telling who would likely make a donation with the steady flow of traffic in and out of the store on what is hailed as the biggest discount shopping day of the holiday season. Some people pushed carts bulging with high definition TVs while others wheeled out carts stuffed with clothes and toys.
People who looked like they had money donated and vice versa. People who looked like they didn't have money donated and vice versa.
Regardless, the 58-year-old Richardson smiled at every passerby and thanked those who contributed money.
Despite the sour economy and seemingly every corporate entity seeking a government bailout, Richardson's time wasn't wasted.
"People have been very generous," said the Edgewater woman, now in her fourth year serving the Salvation Army.
About the Blogger
Henry Frederick is editor and publisher of Headline Surfer, Florida's 24/7 Internet newspaper in New Smyrna Beach, launched April 7, 2008. Owned by NSB News LLC with Frederick as its sole corporate member, It is also referred by its original name, NSBNews.net and as VolusiaNews.net. Frederick is an award-winning breaking news and investigative journalist who has covered police and courts in Florida, New York, Massachusetts and Connecticut, dating back to the mid-1980s. He has covered many of the high profile cases in the Daytona Beach and DeLand courtrooms in Volusia County, including the numerous appellate hearings for serial killer Aileen Wuornos, and ultimately, witnessing her execution. He graduated from Central Connecticut State University in New Britain in 1984, with a B.A. in political science/public admin. and a minor in writing. He received the "President's Citation" for academic honors and service to the university.
View Henry Frederick's story archives here
View his blog archives here
Comments
Post new comment