A Rare & Expensive Donation Was Dropped in an Iowa Red Kettle

The holiday season is full of surprises!

Every year, volunteers with the Salvation Army stand outside area businesses collecting donations with their Red Kettle Campaign. Most people will just drop a few bucks or some loose change inside the kettles, but there are some very generous people out there that go above and beyond!

The Des Moines Register recently published an article about an anonymous Iowan who dropped something unexpected inside a red kettle over in the Des Moines area. Last week, someone stopped by the Scheels at Jordan Creek Town Center to donate a coin. But, it wasn't just any coin. Wrapped in bill was a rare Canadian Queen Elizabeth II gold coin from 1983. It was sealed in a container and in mint condition, so it ended up being worth a LOT of money. According to the Des Moines Register:

"After getting it appraised, The Salvation Army was able to sell the coin, with a face value of $50, for $1,801 due to its rarity and excellent condition"

That $1,801 will do a lot of good here in our community! The Salvation Army's website reads:

"The donations we collect during the holiday season not only help us provide gifts to children who would otherwise go without, but they also help us provide food, shelter, and utility assistance to those who need it most every day of the year."

If you want to contribute to this year's Red Kettle Campaign here in Cedar Rapids, you can make a donation online HERE. The goal is to raise $50,000 locally. You can also donate your time by volunteering to be a bell ringer HERE.