During this year’s Salvation Army Red Kettle campaign, two North Texans found two rare gold coins worth thousands of dollars.
The coins were 22-karat South African Krugerrands, KWTX reported, and both were found in folded-up dollar bills. They were found by bell ringers Nicky Underwood and Larry Crow.
Lt. Michael Cain, Grayson County Salvation Army executive officer and a corps officer, said it is unknown who donated the gold coins, but this wasn’t the first time.
Each coin is worth over $1,800, according to the Salvation Army. The first gold coin donation was made six years ago, Cain shared with KWTX.
“It’s always a different location,” Cain said. “It’s at a random time. We don’t know what bucket it’s going to be in or what store it’s going to be at. It’s totally random, and nobody has ever come forward.”
“Even in this time, I mean, like, when the economy is not the best, and people are struggling with high inflation, someone still out of the kindness of their hearts still does this,” Cain said. “It’s become a tradition, but it’s an anonymous tradition, and that makes it even more special.”
With the donation of gold coins, the 2022 Red Kettle campaign raised over $124,000.
All of the money raised by the Salvation Army stays with the organization, Underwood told KWTX. Crow added that the funds provide warmth, food, shelter, and more.
Cain told KWTX that it was good for Salvation Army staff to experience the rare donation.
“It was great for the staff to see that and know that there is someone in this community who cares about not only what the Salvation Army does but the people that we serve,” Cain said.
Each year the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle campaign raises vital funds during the holiday season, according to a press release from the organization. This year was the 132nd annual campaign.
Major Paul McFarland, the area commander of The Salvation Army of North Texas, shared in the press release that almost half of the organization’s funding is raised in the fourth quarter.
“Nearly half of our annual raised revenue comes between October and December, so donations made at Red Kettles are critical to helping provide transformational services in every pocket of North Texas,” McFarland said.
“We are grateful for the generous support of our donors and partners whose support enables us to provide services year-round that are needed now more than ever,” McFarland added.
Energy Transfer sponsored the 2022 campaign and made a $50,000 donation.
The Salvation Army of North Texas has 12 food pantries, six shelters and senior living centers, and three recovery centers, according to the press release. Every week, the organization feeds around 10,000 people, houses around 1,300 people, and treats 500 people.
In addition to providing direct services, the Salvation Army of North Texas pursues a number of efforts intended to break cycles of poverty and dependency, including job training and assistance with treating drug and alcohol addiction.
The Salvation Army of North Texas is the biggest Salvation Army Command in the world, according to the website. It works throughout Collin, Denton, Ellis, Dallas, and Tarrant counties.
