Salvation Army Red Kettles Yields Odd Treasures

by Blue Crush | December 20, 2008 at 04:20 pm

471 views | 43 Recommendations | 15 comments

A Salvation Army volunteer emptying kettles in southwest Florida recently glanced something that stood out from the piles of spare change and crumpled bills: a 1911 Liberty Eagle gold coin worth about $1,000.

The person who quietly deposited it outside a Fort Myers supermarket last week was continuing a holiday tradition of using their kettles to make valuable and unusual donations to the charity.

"It's a welcome gift, believe me," said Maj. George Hood, a national spokesman for the charity, which has seen total donations drop around 25 percent in the tough economy.
People might be plunking in less loose change this season, but the Salvation Army is still coming across exotic kettle donations.

Earlier this month, a rare 1910 gold coin worth thousands was dropped into a kettle in Berlin, Vt. Someone in Uniontown, Pa., deposited a diamond ring worth about $2,000. In northeast Kansas, a gold American Buffalo coin worth at least $1,000 was slipped through a kettle slot.

This is not the first year the charity has recieved these little treats. Every holiday season for the past seven years, someone has dropped a Krugerrand, a gold coin from South Africa, into a kettle in Waterloo, Iowa. The one left last weekend was worth $678. "It's kind of fun," says Hood, "and it's very helpful to the local units who are able to cash these things in and put the money into the chapter."

Nationally, the Salvation Army collects about $118 million a year from its 25,000 red kettles.

As far as the charity knows, the first time a valuable coin was dropped into a kettle was in 1982 in a Chicago suburb. Since then it's happened about 300 times across the country.

It was the third year in a row that a rare Liberty Eagle coin was left in Fort Myers, apparently by the same person, said Megan Spears, a spokeswoman for the local chapter.

Like the two previous years, the coin was in a small plastic case with a note printed neatly on plain, unlined paper: "In memory of Mimi."

The Salvation Army's Red Kettle campaign has been around since 1891, it started in San Francisco by one member wanting a way to feed the needy a Christmas dinner. Now it's a tradition that's spread throughout the world, and public contributions to the Salvation Army kettles enable the organization to continue its year-round efforts at helping those who would otherwise be forgotten.

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amyjudd

at 16:25 on December 20th, 2008

you have to wonder if this was perhaps a mistake.. I hope it wasn't but I guess you never know

whiskeyboytx

at 17:18 on December 20th, 2008

GREAT story... makes me want to not only donate this year, but also find a creative and fun way to do it! I'm off to dig out old coins to let my kids drop in the bucket!

Pythiian1

at 19:27 on December 20th, 2008

Nice story

tikun

at 05:20 on December 21st, 2008

This is truly the year we all need to give a little more then usual if we are capable. There is an old saying that one should give until it hurts a little. Not beyond what one is capable but enough of a stretch to feel the blessing of the giving.

Happy Holiday All,

Steve

Norske8

at 08:59 on December 22nd, 2008

A macro view of one of our most beautiful coins.

Norske8 has contributed a photo to this story.

SalvationArmyIndiana

at 09:51 on December 22nd, 2008

The Salvation Army in Indianapolis collects money on Monument Circle to support fundraising efforts during special events.

SalvationArmyIndiana has contributed a photo to this story.

Jennings David L

at 09:59 on December 22nd, 2008

Great story and welcome news when so many will be hurting this season.

m3cosmos

at 10:10 on December 22nd, 2008

1928 Buffalo Nickel
Photo by J. Moore

m3cosmos has contributed a photo to this story.

Rachel Nixon

at 10:26 on December 22nd, 2008

Great story!

Blue Crush

at 14:34 on December 23rd, 2008

Thanks for all your comments and pictures. What a great story amidst this year's gloom and doom. I'd never read the history of the red kettle, how it had started with just a simple Christmas meal. I'd noticed on CraigsList people were offering Christmas dinners to the poor, now we know we can thank the Salvation Army for starting this yearly gesture. Here's a sampling of a few ads on my local CraigsList:

I was very happy to see turkey dinners being offered throughout the GTA by others who have followed our lead and how even small children are "paying it forward" from last year recipients. Your e-mails were inspirational and instrumental to securing the support of more co-workers. We are pleased at the fact that we are giving to more than 40 families and how the manager and butcher at valu-mart on Danforth has also pitched in to give us competitive prices to further stretch our dollar. We wish you all the best for this holiday season and the brightest new year in 2009. Cheers, Sophie & Mark

I have a small turkey that will be good for either a small family or a couple. I bought it last week, but was given a bigger one from family. I know that Christmas can be rough for others and this is my way of giving back. A group of youth will shop, cook, and deliver your home cooked Christmas meal at 5 pm Christmas Eve. This venture is supported by their parents. Thanks and may this season be a blessing to all!

I wish we could provide for all but simply cannot so if there is an outstanding need in your particular case please let us know. If you are a single parent family but not in sincere need this year please allow this opportunity to pass to another. With respect and understanding, Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas to all. Chris

BetsyEd

at 10:44 on December 22nd, 2008

Our community band, the Broome Street Traveling All-Stars from Port Jervis N.Y., donates time each year to help the Salvation Army raise money at the kettles. We split up into four groups and play Christmas Carols at one of four locations in the area (Shop-Rite, K-Mart, Walmart, and Price Chopper). It's always a lot of fun and it seems to help increase donations.
Photo Credit: Edward Krakowiak, Port Jervis, NY

BetsyEd has contributed a photo to this story.

Cafegurl

at 12:28 on December 22nd, 2008

That's just amazing, what a wonderful story....

Blackrabbit33

at 12:52 on December 22nd, 2008

what a great story. thankyou for using one of my photos for it.

DebbyAremDesigns

at 13:38 on December 22nd, 2008

What a wonderful story coming at a time when people are so cynical and pessimistic it seems about the goodness of others.
Thank you for finding my photo on Flickr ( of one of my limited edition necklaces that features a Chinese zodiac coin) and wanting to use it in conjunction with this story!

DebbyAremDesigns has contributed a photo to this story.