Gold coins a no-show so far in kettles
The Salvation Army Western Pennsylvania Division is approaching its holiday fundraising goal, but so far no mysterious benefactor has dropped gold coins in any red kettle.
Nicole Harrell, Salvation Army director of marketing and public relations, said Thursday that the Red Kettle Campaign across the 28 counties in the division had reached 66% of its $2.294 million, or nearly $1.51 million. The campaign concludes Christmas Eve.
Harrell said the money raised in the campaign supports families through programs such as feeding programs, rent and utility assistance, seasonal assistance, youth empowerment and spiritual programs.
“We still haven’t received word yet from any location in the 28 counties of a gold coin, but we’ve still got until Christmas Eve,” said Harrell.
She did say a diamond engagement ring turned up in a kettle in Sharon on Wednesday.
Gold coins, diamond rings and other valuable items have often turned up in bell ringers’ kettles.
On Nov. 25, 2020, a mystery donor had deposited a gold Krugerrand coin in a Salvation Army kettle in Zelienople for the seventh year in a row.
Rosaleen Poloso, a service unit representative for Butler County for the Western Pennsylvania Division of the Salvation Army, said at the time, "It was wrapped in a dollar bill like it always is, so no one knows they are getting it until they count the money."
The coin was sold for $1,760.
But Harrell said there has been no repeat of a Krugerrand sighting since 2020.
Major Darlene Means of the Butler Salvation Army said there are nine kettles placed outside store doors this year in Butler.
“We have reached about 60% of our goal of $90,000. We haven’t gotten any gold or diamond rings,” Means said Thursday.
“The money helps us with our Christmas effort — the food we purchase for Christmas dinners,” she said. “And it funds our soup kitchen and food pantry and our rent assistance.”
“The Salvation Army’s red kettles have been synonymous with Christmas and the season of giving for more than 150 years, and we are not stopping now,” said Major Gregory Hartshorn, divisional commander of the Salvation Army Western Pennsylvania Division. “Thank you to everyone who has generously contributed so far.
“Each donation to a red kettle means food on the table, shelter on a cold night and so much more to our neighbors in need. Help us remind families and individuals that they’re loved not only on Christmas, but all year long.”
Harrell said there’s typically a surge of kettle donations as the days count down to Christmas Eve, so she’s hopeful that the Salvation Army can reach its goal.
“You don’t have to have a gold coin to donate. It’s anything you can give in this season of giving. Every little bit helps,” she said. “If you haven’t had the chance to make your year-end gift to The Salvation Army, now would be a great time to drop it into your nearest red kettle.”
Harrell said every donation placed in a red kettle goes directly back into the community where it is received.
She said donations can also be made virtually at any time by visiting salvationarmywpa.org/LoveBeyond.
She added monetary donations can now be dropped off directly at PNC Bank branches throughout Western Pennsylvania through Dec. 31.
