Salvation Army Capt. Jody Dalberg displays the gold Krugerrand an anonymous donor dropped into one of the Salvation Army’s fundraising kettles Monday. The coin is worth about $835. Photo by Tim Robertson, Times-Union
Salvation Army Capt. Jody Dalberg displays the gold Krugerrand an anonymous donor dropped into one of the Salvation Army’s fundraising kettles Monday. The coin is worth about $835. Photo by Tim Robertson, Times-Union
One of the Kosciusko County Salvation Army's little red kettles brought in a heavier-than-usual bounty Monday, thanks to an anonymous donor with a heart of gold.

Salvation Army Capt. Jody Dalberg said he was surprised when he found a gold coin wrapped in a dollar bill while counting the money from the Salvation Army's collection kettles. The coin was a gold Krugerrand, a 1-ounce coin from South Africa.
According to Linda Snyder, of Snyder's Coins and Jewelry, Warsaw, the coin is worth about $835.

Dalberg, whose parents were both Salvation Army officers, said the gold Krugerrand is almost like a legend within Salvation Army ranks.

"I've grown up hearing about the Salvation Army getting gold coins in the kettles, but I've never seen it happen," he said.

Dalberg said the gift has value even beyond the money it will bring the Salvation Army.

"This is a purposeful gift. Someone went out of their way to get one of these in order to put it in a kettle," he said. "This is someone who cares a lot about the community and wants to help the people in it."

Dalberg said the Christmas holiday season "kettle drive" is the Salvation Army's biggest fundraiser. It helps the organization operate all year, helping those in need get food, clothing, housing and other necessities. Locally, the Salvation Army hopes to raise a total of $188,000 before the end of the year; $58,000 of that is the goal for the kettle drive. Dalberg said, at last count, his organization has raised about 75 percent of the goal.

For more information or to donate to the Salvation Army, call 574-267-5361.