Nearly Died at Walmart Last Night
 

Every year, our Masonic Lodge volunteers to ring the bell for the Salvation Army. We divide the hours among ourselves in 2-hour blocks. Last night I ended up manning the kettle alone in the open, covered area at the entrance of a Walmart. Although last week a Salvation Army volunteer near Philly was knocked over and their kettle was stolen, that's not what almost happened to me last night.

While jingling all the way, I saw a woman waiting with a loaded cart for her female friend to drive up so they could load the car in the fire lane. Suddenly I see this fast-moving Sebring convertible headed at both of us. At the last second, the car swerves; missing the woman, me, the kettle, and the brick column at the entrance to the store. The driver was this woman's friend, and she was able to stop the car farther along in the fire lane. The driver gets out all upset, saying that the car wouldn't stop, and she asks me to look under the dash at the pedals. Reluctant to leave the kettle unmanned, she offered the ring the bell, while I quickly checked underneath.

It turns out the floor mat was jammed up under the brake pedal, and the mat's edging was torn off and looped around the gas pedal! I got the mat free and tossed it in the back seat to send them on their way.

How many times do we see on the news where an older driver crashes through a store-front? (my Mom actually has done this). They usually claim mechanical failure; not the fault of the driver. Well, I survived to tell the story that a floor mat nearly caused an accident last night.

HoHoHo! :D

Glad you didn't get hit, Bill!

Tell me about it. I had my back to a block wall at the time, so my only escape route was left, right, or UP!

Two good deeds in one night!!
Wow!! Santa should be good to you this year.
Way too go!

WOW! sure glad you wern't hurt Probie. Your stocking should definitely not have any lumps of coal.

I guess it's more common then you think

Glad your ok

http://img856.imageshack.us/img856/3...llringer02.jpg



















i added words to the apron










:)








you knew that

Thanks Andy! I missed your creative editing the first time I saw the photo.

:D

Good thing you were aware of your surroundings. Glad you are ok!

Thanks! I definitely saw her coming. :) It's funny, but I posted a similar recollection of events on Facebook, and two of my FB friends replied that they appreciated the heads up cuz they were "working" the kettle bells the following night at the same spot.

glad you're ok. always be in condition yellow when ringing the bell...especially during the holiday season.

+1. It's funny when I read the subject line with Wal-Mart in it, I was amazed and all the strange scenarios that started running through my mind. Wal-Mart just seems to be one of those places...you know, where people get maced in line waiting in line Black Friday, trampled and killed on Black Friday, etc, etc. Was almost like a game to try and guess the strange, but true, story I would read :eek:.

at my walmart i work at the bell ringer supposibly got shot at with paintballs and i nearly get hit every day the customers dont pay attention 95% of the time and complain 100% of the time when theres no carts

Good thing you weren't hurt Bill, we wouldn't want to lose an 85 CHP owner;)