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.