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Gold Coin Dropped in Kettle Boosts Salvation Army's Holiday Efforts

CABIN JOHN, MD — With donation efforts lagging across the region, Salvation Army volunteers in Montgomery County were thrilled Saturday when they found that a generous donor had left a solid gold coin in a red kettle outside the Giant food store in Cabin John.

Capt. Karl Dahlin found the coin, which he described as a Canadian collector’s coin with a face value of $50 Canadian, but it could be worth as much as $1,200 in U.S. currency. The nonprofit agency that helps provide housing and meals to families and veterans says it will sell the coin to a collector and use the money for its good works.

Donations to this year's Red Kettle Campaign are down 13 percent across the region compared with last year, along with sluggish donations by mail, the Salvation Army said Friday. While donors have mysteriously left gold coins in kettles around the country every year, it has been several years since the Montgomery County area kettles have received such a valuable gift.

"I feel blessed tonight," Dahlin told NBC Washington when he found the gold coin left by an anonymous donor. "This is a fantastic find. God bless you, I want to thank you so much."

The money raised through the red kettles helps local families, the homeless and others in need with meals, clothing, shelter, services, programs and other emergency assistance. The fund drive ends on Dec. 24.

National Capital Area Commander for The Salvation Army, Major James “Chip” Hall says, “We are not sure why kettle donations are off this year. It could be as simple as fewer people carrying cash. Whatever the reason, our fundraising efforts have been affected, and we are asking the public’s help by donating a little extra when they see our kettles. There is no amount too small. Every penny, quarter, dollar, check, and credit card donation helps.”

The Salvation Army has a goal of $1.4 million for the local campaign. Hall says more than 80 cents of every dollar donated directly helps neighbors in need. "The donations we receive change lives in the people we serve.”

There are many ways the public can donate. Each red kettle accepts cash, checks, jewelry, gold and precious coins, and the kettles are set up at more than 250 locations around the region including most Giant, Safeway and Walmart stores.

You can donate from home by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY (725-2769) or give online by clicking the DONATE button on the Salvation Army's website.

The Salvation Army National Capital Area Command assisted 80,744 people last year with emergency rental, utility and food assistance, a homeless nutrition program, transitional housing for young mothers and their children, comprehensive substance abuse treatment, disaster relief and youth enrichment through music and arts education.

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