Salvation Army Finds Liberty Silver Coin In Kettle
Posted
Jennifer Peryam-jperyam@timesuniononline.com
A surprise coin donation was discovered in a Salvation Army bell ringing kettle Monday night.
Salvation Army Captain Dale Brandenburg was counting coins from the red kettles at his office Monday night when he came across a Liberty one-ounce silver coin.
The coin had been dropped in the Salvation Army's red kettle at Kmart Monday night.
"When I took all the dollar bills out of the kettle it was laying there with the change and was large enough it stood out from the other coins," Brandenburg said.
Brandenburg said he had the silver coin appraised Tuesday at Snyder's Jewelry and Collectibles, on Detroit Street, and was informed the coin is worth $29.66.
Brandenburg said he had never gotten silver coins in a red kettle before, but at other Salvation Army appointments he has served at he has gotten gold coins.
The silver coin will be added to the other funds that the Salvation Army has been collecting in its kettles since Nov. 20.
Brandenburg said the largest donation the Salvation Army has received this year is a $2,000 check. Other donations have been $100 bills and two $50 bills.
"We appreciate all donations that help us get closer to our goal," Brandenburg said.
Current donations for counter top kettles and red kettles as of Thursday morning is $56,000. This year's kettle goal is $78,000.
Brandenburg said the Salvation Army has $22,000 needed to be raised in the next seven days to reach this year's kettle goal.
Last year, $80,000 was raised.
Brandenburg said volunteers are currently needed to ring bells at the eight bell ringing locations: the two doors at Walmart, Kmart, Marsh, the two Owen's, JC Penney, Big R and Lances New Market supermarkets in Syracuse and North Webster.
Brandenburg said the number of bell ringer volunteers are down this year and contributed it to cold weather, and said bell ringer volunteers are needed.
"The most important time is today through Christmas Eve for bell ringing because that is the last charge to get needed funds raised," Brandenburg said.
Bell ringing efforts are from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and go until Dec. 24.
Brandenburg said, in 2009 Salvation Army saw an average of 160 families per month, and this year are serving an average of 400 families per month.
"The people the Salvation Army serves has almost tripled," Brandenburg said.
To volunteer to bell ring, call the Salvation Army at 574-267-5361 Mondays through Fridays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. to sign up to be a bell ringer volunteer.
People also are advised there are red kettle counter top kettles at 104 locations in Kosciusko County that will be there until Dec. 24.
