Two Gold Coins Donated To Salvation Army In South Suburbs
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Two gold coins have been donated to the Salvation Army in the Chicago area this week, the first of the Christmas season.
Salvation Army spokeswoman Jackie Rachev said the coins were donated in the south suburbs on Tuesday. One was dropped in a red Salvation Army kettle in Homewood, and the other was hand-delivered to a Salvation Army facility in Joliet.
Rachev said the tradition of anonymously donating gold coins to the Salvation Army dates back to the 1980s.
"We never expect, but we always hope, and we're extremely grateful," she said.
The two coins donated Tuesday are worth approximately $2,100 total.
"One was about $1,000 and one is about $1,100," Rachev said.
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While the gold coins are donated anonymously, occasionally, Salvation Army bell ringers have some idea who has donated a gold coin when it's dropped in one of their signature red kettles.
"It does sound different when dropped into the kettle. You're never quite sure, but you have that feeling," she said.
More than 400 gold coins have been donated to the Salvation Army at Christmastime since 1982.
