December 20, 200421 yr Gold coins in salvation army buckets. Every year I hear about this, and every year it just completely warms my heart.... Salvation Army Thankful for Gold Donations By JAN DENNIS, Associated Press Writer PEORIA, Ill. - Salvation Army officials don't know who has been dropping gold coins into their holiday kettles over the past 20 years, but they hope the mysterious donations continue. More than 300 gold coins have been collected since the early 1980s, with an average value of about $200 each, said Cliff Marshall, spokesman for the charity in Chicago, where the tradition began. Chicago bell-ringers have brought in 10 gold coins so far this year. They aren't the only ones. In Kirksville, Mo., someone donated a gold coin that was minted 20 years before the Civil War, worth nearly $1,000. A $400 South African Krugerrand was dropped in a kettle in Bloomington, Ill., meaning 12 extra families will get a complete Christmas dinner. But officials still don't know where the coins come from. The mysterious tradition began in 1982, when someone slipped a gold coin into a kettle in the Chicago suburb of Crystal Lake. The donations have occurred there ever since and have spread across Illinois and about a dozen other states. The phantom donors almost always conceal the coins, usually folding dollar bills around them. They range from small gold pieces worth about $15 to Krugerrands that can fetch $600 from collectors. The gold coins have been worth a total of about $60,000. That's just a fraction of the $3.5 million collected by the Salvation Army last year in Chicago alone. But the mystery donors may have more than money on their mind. Some believe the coin droppers might have been helped by the relief agency in the past. Or they might just like the thrill of seeing the donation play out in the media. One woman called last summer to say her late mother left gold coins in the kettles each year because she liked the buzz it created, Marshall said. Rich Draeger, spokesman for Salvation Army's Peoria division, said the timing of the donations suggest they might be an inside job. He said gold coins tend to show up when giving starts to lag, indicating it might an attempt by the charity to generate extra publicity. "It seems to be a benefactor who knows that it's going to mean a lot more than a $300 or $400 coin — it's going to bring attention," Draeger said. Daniel Borochoff, president of the American Institute of Philanthropy, a charity watchdog group, doubts the Salvation Army is planting the coins to create publicity. "They're a heavy-duty Christian group, so that may go against their principals," he said. Marshall, for one, hopes the mystery is never solved. "It's more fun to speculate than to know for sure," he said.
December 20, 200421 yr They had some around here too. They wrap them in dollar bills so the bell ringers don't know it.
December 20, 200421 yr I always empty my pocket of loose change and singles whenever I pass a kettle.
December 20, 200421 yr What does the bill conceal? Does a gold coin clink differently than a copper coin?
December 20, 200421 yr I like when I get downtown at 6am and all the X-mas lights are on the trees and buildings, and the sun isn't up yet...but this works as well.
December 20, 200421 yr Gold coins in salvation army buckets. Every year I hear about this, and every year it just completely warms my heart.... Salvation Army Thankful for Gold Donations By JAN DENNIS, Associated Press Writer PEORIA, Ill. - Salvation Army officials don't know who has been dropping gold coins into their holiday kettles over the past 20 years, but they hope the mysterious donations continue. More than 300 gold coins have been collected since the early 1980s, with an average value of about $200 each, said Cliff Marshall, spokesman for the charity in Chicago, where the tradition began. Chicago bell-ringers have brought in 10 gold coins so far this year. They aren't the only ones. In Kirksville, Mo., someone donated a gold coin that was minted 20 years before the Civil War, worth nearly $1,000. A $400 South African Krugerrand was dropped in a kettle in Bloomington, Ill., meaning 12 extra families will get a complete Christmas dinner. But officials still don't know where the coins come from. The mysterious tradition began in 1982, when someone slipped a gold coin into a kettle in the Chicago suburb of Crystal Lake. The donations have occurred there ever since and have spread across Illinois and about a dozen other states. The phantom donors almost always conceal the coins, usually folding dollar bills around them. They range from small gold pieces worth about $15 to Krugerrands that can fetch $600 from collectors. The gold coins have been worth a total of about $60,000. That's just a fraction of the $3.5 million collected by the Salvation Army last year in Chicago alone. But the mystery donors may have more than money on their mind. Some believe the coin droppers might have been helped by the relief agency in the past. Or they might just like the thrill of seeing the donation play out in the media. One woman called last summer to say her late mother left gold coins in the kettles each year because she liked the buzz it created, Marshall said. Rich Draeger, spokesman for Salvation Army's Peoria division, said the timing of the donations suggest they might be an inside job. He said gold coins tend to show up when giving starts to lag, indicating it might an attempt by the charity to generate extra publicity. "It seems to be a benefactor who knows that it's going to mean a lot more than a $300 or $400 coin — it's going to bring attention," Draeger said. Daniel Borochoff, president of the American Institute of Philanthropy, a charity watchdog group, doubts the Salvation Army is planting the coins to create publicity. "They're a heavy-duty Christian group, so that may go against their principals," he said. Marshall, for one, hopes the mystery is never solved. "It's more fun to speculate than to know for sure," he said. every year thats always on the news here. the news people are always trying to find out who is doing it too but have yet to "catch" the person or persons. i think it's awesome they do this year in and year out...
December 20, 200421 yr What does the bill conceal? Does a gold coin clink differently than a copper coin? usually the kettles are full enough that it won't hit the bottom and either way...would the person neccissarily think that because they heard a clank it was a gold coin? Its more to cover it up visually.
December 20, 200421 yr I think that's awesome for those who do it. I am sure it means alot to the families who are in need.
December 20, 200421 yr usually the kettles are full enough that it won't hit the bottom and either way...would the person neccissarily think that because they heard a clank it was a gold coin? Its more to cover it up visually. It's not like the bell-ringer is examining the coin combo you're tossing in, though. Hey, whatever, it's just another buck for the SA, can't hurt. Just curious about that explanation, b/c I'm real sure I could throw in a gold coin w/o anyone noticing. If I could afford a gold coin, that is. Scroogy footnote: Kind of wonder where they get these coins. If they come from a dealer and then they're auctioned back to a dealer, it'd be a waste except for the news story.
December 20, 200421 yr My favorite drive is down the Edens to Sedgwich (spelling? neighborhood with incredible Christmas displays) south of Skokie, then into Evanston and driving up the North Shore to Lake Forest. We'd stop along the way for a hot beverage. The white Italian lights in Lake Forest are so wonderful in the square.
December 20, 200421 yr Author My favorite drive is down the Edens to Sedgwich (spelling? neighborhood with incredible Christmas displays) south of Skokie, then into Evanston and driving up the North Shore to Lake Forest. We'd stop along the way for a hot beverage. The white Italian lights in Lake Forest are so wonderful in the square. Best part of Chicago Christmas: Lehnartz Avenue in Aurora. That street display owns all...Can't wait to go home just to drive though it with the fam.
December 20, 200421 yr Best part of Chicago Christmas: Lehnartz Avenue in Aurora. That street display owns all...Can't wait to go home just to drive though it with the fam. The one that owned when I was growing up was on 79th and Normandy. I think they must have moved sometime in the last five years as it was there when I started college and then when I went back last Christmas there were no displays at all.
December 20, 200421 yr We have a "Holiday House" on my block. The people there overdo every "decorating" holiday - 4th of July, Halloween, and Christmas. My daughter loves it, but I, being The Curmudgeon that I am, don't.
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