Salvation Army surprised that someone dropped this coin into a Bellingham kettle
Someone dropped a gold coin valued at $750 into a Salvation Army red kettle in Bellingham, giving the annual fundraising effort a needed boost.
Salvation Army volunteers found the coin while counting donations made on Wednesday, Dec. 18, the organization said in a news release.
The 2019 American Gold Eagle coin weighed half an ounce and was dropped into the kettle at the Fred Meyer on West Bakerview Road.
“I wish I could personally thank the person who donated this gold coin,” said Capt. Ruairi Ward, director of The Salvation Army in Bellingham on Friday, Dec. 20. “I want them to know how much this gesture is appreciated, especially now, as we are behind last year’s donations for this time.”
Ward said donations are about 30% behind this year, attributing that to a shorter holiday shopping season for 2019.
There are six fewer days to shop this year.
Fewer days mean fewer chances for people to drop money into the roughly 27 red kettles around Bellingham.
Donations from the red kettles campaign help provide services locally, including for food, shelter, addiction recovery, domestic violence help, youth programs, and emergency disaster relief.
“Every donation, small or large, is needed and adds up,” Ward said. “The donations will be used right here in Bellingham, so every quarter, dollar, or even gold coin will be re-invested to help local families in need.”
The spelling of Capt. Ruairi Ward’s first name was corrected Dec. 23, 2019.
This story was originally published December 20, 2019 at 3:08 PM.
