Rare gold coin left in Salvation Army bucket at Washington Giant Eagle
Courtesy of Washington Salvation Army
In what has become a Christmas Eve tradition, an unknown donor slipped a rare gold coin into the Salvation Army Red Kettle at Giant Eagle in Washington on Christmas Eve,
The coin came with no fanfare and no request for a receipt for tax deduction purposes – just an anonymous gift at holiday time.
The coin, a Queen Elizabeth II valued at around $2,500, was wrapped in a dollar bill that was taped up with a note that wished the organization a Merry Christmas and said the donor wanted to remain anonymous.
“It’s awesome, we’re so grateful. It was a gift from the kindness of someone’s heart, ” said Lt. Tom Perez of the Washington Salvation Army Worship and Service Center. “Ths kettle season is so important to us because we’re trying to do more in the community, and with the cuts and delays in federal government funding it’s been difficult for us.”
It is the second year a valuable coin has been dropped in the Giant Eagle Red Kettle since Perez and his wife, Maj. Erin Perez, have been with the Washington Salvation Army. Tom Perez said someone has been donating a valuable coin for as many as seven years.
The gift of the coin is a huge boost to the organization’s fundraising efforts this year. With the donation of the coin, and the contributions of passersby who donated to kettles throughout the area, the Washington Salvation Army exceeded its $70,000 goal and is still counting donations.
“This remarkable gift will not only help us reach way beyond our annual goal, but it also serves as a powerful reminder of the compassion and generosity that exists within our community,” said Tom Perez. “We are incredibly grateful to our anonymous angel, our donors, our volunteers, and our partners, who make our mission possible.”
The Salvation Army provides people in the community with programs and services including food assistance, rent and utility assistance, disaster emergency aid, spiritual care, and community outreach.
In recent years, secret Santas have been leaving rare gold coins in kettles across the country.
The coin found in the Washington Red Kettle – sponsored by the Musuneggi Financial Group – was a .9999 fine gold coin “in mint condition,” said Tom Perez.
The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign, launched in 1891, is a long-standing tradition that has been running for more than 130 years.
“The donation of the coin, and all of the donations we received, are a blessing to us. It’s exciting for us to help people in our community and we are here to bring some relief and joy to someone’s life in times where they are maybe facing the worst situation in their lives. We are here to help.”