When she came from Jamaica to Knoxville in 2014, Melissa Farquharson never thought she'd become famous for her bell ringing and singing.
“I didn’t think it would be such a big deal doing bell ringing, but guess it is!" she said.
Farquharson quickly developed a reputation for her singing and dancing outside of the Sam's Club near East Towne Mall. The extra effort beyond standing and ringing the Salvation Army bell draws those around her in and leads to numerous donations. She sings and dances six days a week from mid-November to Christmas Eve.
“Every night when I got home I would have to get some honey and lemon so I could soothe my voice to come out the next day and I was going six days a week," she said.
Melissa grew up going to the Salvation Army church in Jamaica, so when she came to Knoxville on a UT scholarship to pursue her masters in sports management, she quickly connected to the Knoxville core.
“I know what the Salvation Army does for other people," Farquharson said. “I was a part of their sponsorship program and so it is my way of giving back to the salvation army and also I know what this is doing for people all around the world.”
Farquharson says her efforts are about much more than raising money. She wants to spread positivity and give people a reason to smile during what can be a stressful season.
“It feels good when people pass by. They might be thinking about their problems or their struggles or what they can’t have for Christmas, but when they see me singing, they start singing too and that makes me feel good because that might be the only time they smile throughout the day," she said.