The Salvation Army announced one of their bell ringers in Lake County received the organization’s first gold coin of the season worth $1,200 Thursday evening.
The donated gold coin was discovered in a Salvation Army Red Kettle in Libertyville.
The coin is a South African 1/2 Krugerrand. It was dropped inside a kettle outside the Jewel-Osco, 1300 South Milwaukee Avenue.
The anonymous contribution will allow The Salvation Army to show “support and love” to families who are struggling to stay in their homes, a spokesperson for the organization said Friday.
It will also help put a warm meal on the table and provide Christmas gifts for children this holiday season.
All Red Kettle donations stay local and the gold coin will help fund programs and services in the Waukegan and Libertyville community.
“There’s an increasing need for assistance as more migrant families come into our area looking for rent assistance and clothing vouchers, that’s where this gift will help,” said Major Dan Faundez, Corps Officer at The Salvation Army Waukegan Corps.
“This will also be key for supplies in our pantry. We’ve had to reduce the amount we’ve been able to hand out, we’re hoping this will help us continue to provide those services,” Faundez said.
The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle campaign dates back to 1891 in San Francisco.
Gold and silver coins donated to The Salvation Army Red Kettles have become a much-anticipated holiday tradition of giving.
“We are so grateful to these thoughtful donors for their support and the impact they are having on our community,” the organization spokesperson said.
The Salvation Army North and Central Illinois Division received 10 gold coins during last year’s Red Kettle campaign.
The Salvation Army said they are committed to serving those in need during Christmas and beyond as millions of Americans continue to struggle with the impacts of inflation and the pandemic.