Second Krugerrand dropped in red kettle
For the second time within a week, an anonymous donor dropped a gold Krugerrand coin into a Salvation Red Kettle in St. Clair Shores.
Earlier last week, a rare 1979 South African Krugerrand with an estimated worth of $1,886 was discovered in the Salvation Army red kettle at the St. Clair Shores post office. Thursday evening, a secret Santa dropped a 1975 Krugerrand worth $1,700 into the red kettle at the Kroger on Marter Road near Jefferson Avenue.
For the past eight years, someone has dropped a Krugerrand in the red kettle at the Marter Rd. Kroger location during the holiday season.
“We are very surprised that we have received two now,” said Major Matt Grindle of the Salvation Army Corps in Warren. “Normally we receive one, but now we are doubly blessed.”
Grindle said there has been much speculation among bell ringers and members of the Corps as to if a second donor has emerged or if the same donor put the valuable coins into kettles at two locations this year.
“We have no idea who this person is, and obviously they prefer to keep it that way,” said Grindle. “We do not know if this is a second person or the same individual who has now given a second coin.
We like to speculate, but I suppose that we may never know.”
Grindle said this year’s kettle goal for the Metro Detroit area and for the Metro Detroit area is $8.3 million with the Warren Salvation Army Corps working to raise $270,000 of that amount. The COVID-19 pandemic has increased people’s need for Salvation Army services but at the same time has made it so that many people are less able to give. The donation of the Krugerrands is a boost for the organization.
“Something like this coin does create some excitement for people giving,” said Grindle. “It is very encouraging to see that someone out there thinks enough of our service to our community that they would put a valuable gold coin in one of our kettles.”
Grindle notes that although the Salvation Army’s work is highlighted during the Christmas season, the organization works year round to meet the needs of people including providing help paying for rent and utilities.
“This is a tremendous benefit and encouragement to us,” said Grindle. “It is always a challenge to reach our kettle goals. It certainly was last year and feels like that again this year. But hopefully people will be encouraged to give, to bless others and to help their neighbors right here at home.”
Most red kettles earn about $500 a day.