Nancy Crosby - Volunteer Story

Since the founding of The Salvation Army, volunteer support has been an essential aspect of this charitable organization, and for the past 22 years, Nancy Crosby has tirelessly served as one of its most influential ambassadors.

"Each day is a gift from the hand of God and it's important to make that day count for good," said Nancy. "In volunteering for The Salvation Army, I know that every penny and every minute given are wisely invested and have eternal value."

Nancy was introduced to The Salvation Army in 1986, when she attended a tea intended to recruit new volunteers to form a Women's Auxiliary. She signed on that day and since has served as President of the Women's Auxiliary, of the Memphis Area Command Advisory Board and as the Chair of the Fine Arts Advisory Committee of the Planned Kroc Center.

As a part of the Army behind the Army, Nancy has planned and executed many fundraisers including "Onstage with the Army," a benefit performance at Theater Memphis where volunteers dressed in vintage Army uniforms and provided refreshments for theater patrons; "From Pram to Prom," a children's fashion show featuring outfits for infants to teens; and the "Out of the Box Celebration," a luncheon-fashion show designed to tell the history of The Salvation Army, with guest appearances by Dixie Carter, Dana Buchman and Marler Stone. But these are just the tip of the iceberg. Every year Nancy spends hundreds of hours coordinating the Red Kettle campaign.

The Red Kettle campaign is the largest, annual fundraiser for The Salvation Army. Recruiting and organizing between 400 to 600 volunteers, to ring every Saturday at 62 locations, for five shifts per day, from Thanksgiving through Christmas Eve, would be a daunting task for anyone, but Nancy enthusiastically schedules these volunteers year after year.

"It may look challenging, but thanks to the loyal support of the local businesses that allow us to ring outsider their doors, the generous spirit of the Memphis community and the great help of the Auxiliary and Advisory Board, it remains a successful program that augments the Army's efforts," said Nancy. "And, once someone has rung that little, red bell one time, you can always count on a repeat performance."

Nancy has been awarded many honors for all of her hard work and dedication to The Salvation Army, including the Southern Territorial Award for Excellence, the Auxiliary's SALLIE (Service and Love Lodged in Eternity) Award and Volunteer Memphis/Hands on Memphis Spirit of Giving Senior Award.

Nancy has involved her family in Salvation Army activities. She and her husband, Dr. V. Glenn Crosby, serve on the Board of Visitors for the Atlanta-based School for Officer Training of the Evangeline Booth College. One of her sons, Scott Crosby, is current Chair of the Advisory Board in Memphis. Other family members, including grandchildren, ring the bell each Christmas.

The Salvation Army is grateful to this amazing, grace-filled lady for her dedication and commitment to our organization and those we serve.