Above / Salvation Army’s “Golden Giver” strikes again as gold coins are dropped in red kettles at Casey’s Foods in Naperville Plaza and other locations in Fox Valley. (PN File Photo)
“A generous donor dropped a gold coin in the kettle at Casey’s in Naperville,” emailed Jackie Rachev for the Salvation Army Metropolitan Division early Friday.
The Salvation Army’s red kettles have been visited again by the “Golden Giver” – this time in DesPlaines and the Fox Valley, she added.
• 1 oz South African Kugerrand, approximately $1,200 – Casey’s in Naperville
• 1 oz Gold Eagle coin, approximately $1,200 – Walmart in Batavia
• 1932 Indian Head gold coin, approximately $1,100 – Mariano’s in Lake Zurich
These coins bring the count to eight coins and additional gold items.
These donations are essential to The Salvation Army’s ability to provide support and assistance to families throughout Chicagoland.
“Our donors have created great excitement this holiday season with their many donations,” said Lt. Colonel Charles Smith, Salvation Army Metropolitan Divisional Commander. “When they drop their coins in our kettles, they’re really providing life-changing programs for their neighbors in need.”
Mid-morning, Dan Casey, owner of Casey’s Foods, commented about another gold coin dropped in the red kettle at the entrance to his store.
“It’s become a great tradition, from a very generous supporter of the Salvation Army,” Casey said. “Once we hear the coin was deposited here, the staff tries to figure out who the donor is. Lots of speculation!”
Red Kettle Bell Ringers Needed
The Red Kettle Campaign is a part of the organization’s larger Christmas fundraising campaign that raises funds for services throughout the year, including those that provide shelter, food, disaster response, after-school programs and more.
With less than three weeks left before Christmas, The Salvation Army still needs volunteer bell ringers
throughout Chicagoland. Volunteers can visit RegisterToRing.com and select the dates, times and
locations that work best.
Volunteer bell ringers collect an average of $30 an hour from coins and cash dropped in their red kettles, which provides two bags of groceries for a family or a night of shelter. And maybe a volunteer will be there when the next gold coin is dropped.
Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign since 1891
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 throughout Chicagoland and surrounding communities, starting approximately 30 years ago in McHenry County. Since then, the Army has received nearly 500 gold and silver coins of every type.
News and photos of coins submitted by Jackie Rachev, Director of Communications, The Salvation Army Metropolitan Division.
