Donor Leaves Gold Coin in Arizona Kettle

PRESCOTT, Ariz. – Now that’s spare change. Salvation Army volunteers were doing a routine count of donations dropped into area bell-ringers’ kettles when they came across a $50 gold coin.

The one coin – a 1998 American Eagle containing an ounce of gold worth about $800 – made up in one package a shortfall in collections so far this year, Salvation Army Maj. Kyle Trimmer said Wednesday.

Trimmer said an anonymous donor placed the coin in a small envelope and dropped it in a kettle outside a Prescott Valley Kmart. The coin was found Tuesday as Trimmer joined volunteers counting the change and paper money from 28 kettles in Prescott and Prescott Valley.

“We were excited,” Trimmer said. “I just opened a package and said, ‘Hey! We have a gold coin here.’”

Trimmer said the Salvation Army raised $105,000 during last year’s kettle campaign, and hopes to exceed that amount this year.

The proceeds will benefit 600 area families, who will receive food vouchers and toys.

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Information from: The Daily Courier, http://www.prescottaz.com/pdc/courier.htm