Bell Ringer Helps Grandma, Thief Steals Donation Kettle

Police say someone stole a Salvation Army kettle from a bell ringer who left his post to help a grandmother and her four grandchildren get through the double doors at a shopping mall in North Carolina. Winston-Salem police say bell ringer James Griffin III told them when returned from the Belk store to his post Tuesday, the kettle and the $50 in it were gone. Griffin returned to his post yesterday, and the Belk store manager put $100 into the replacement kettle.

Police Lt. Brad Yandell says there is no video of the theft, and investigators have no leads. Maj. James Allison, commander of the Salvation Army of Winston-Salem, says the agency would have helped if the thief had a need. (More Salvation Army stories.)