| |
Rare coin dropped into Salvation Army
bucket
By Sarah Hinckley
December 3, 2008
Rutland Herald
Santa delivered early this year for the
Salvation Army.
Another rare coin was discovered in one of the organization's
red kettles this week.
For the third year in a row, an anonymous donor left a rare coin
in a kettle located outside Jo-Ann Fabrics in the Berlin Mall.
On Monday, a gold coin, minted in 1910, was left in the kettle
outside the store — the same location a secret Santa used two
years ago. In 1910, the coin was worth two and a half dollars;
Salvation Army officials are not sure what the coin is worth
today.
"Once we secure a buyer, or get someone to cash it in, the money
will go into our account," said Capt. Travis DeLong, who has
been the commanding officer in Barre since July.
In his eight years as the commanding officer for the Salvation
Army, DeLong has seen a donation of this caliber only two times
previously.
"It's fun trying to figure out who it is, but they do it
anonymously for a reason," he said about the secret Santa.
A rare coin collector in Barre has agreed to assess the value of
the coin, according to DeLong. The last two coins —
two-and-a-half dollar coins minted in 1908 and in 1909 — fetched
more than $2,000 each for the organization.
"Usually it's done not long after the Thanksgiving holiday,"
said DeLong about the typical time in which the rare coin drops
have happened in the past.
|
|
This year was no exception. The
anonymous donation came in the wake of one of the busiest
shopping weekends of the year. Those who were out shopping,
hitting the big sales after feasting on turkey, were in the mood
to share the money they saved with others.
Salvation Army kettles collected a total of $12,000 in three
days — Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. That was a greater haul
than the organization's local chapter saw last year during that
same time, according to DeLong.
"We're seeing people that don't look like they can give, give,
which is an amazing thing to see," he added.
All donations stay in the community to serve those who need help
for the holidays. Using last year's rare coin as an example,
DeLong said $2,000 can be used to provide toys for children in
need, for assistance programs to help people pay rent or for
their heating fuel, among other necessities.
"Right now, we're definitely gearing up for our Christmas Castle
donations," said DeLong about the baskets of food that are
delivered the week that Christmas is celebrated.
What does one say to a secret Santa who leaves rare coins in red
kettles?
"We really appreciate their support and generosity," said DeLong.
Copyright ©
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
