Salvation Army Red Kettle wins big after receiving a coin donation from Plainfield Walmart valued at least $2,000

Indianapolis, Indiana – Giving is the spirit of Christmas, and a recent discovery in a Red Kettle at a Plainfield Walmart store was unexpected.

After a bell-ringing day, Salvation Army volunteers are frequently surprised by a donation such as this one.

The contribution made last week at a Red Kettle in Central Indiana: a gold coin valued at least $2,000.

Last week, a kettle outside the Plainfield Walmart on East Main Street contained the $50 Gold American Eagle Coin. It was mingled with other coins and dollars that had been contributed all day.

“Whether it’s a penny or a hundred-dollar bill, we presume every donation we receive is given with a measure of sacrifice,” said Major David Martinez of The Salvation Army Eagle Creek Corps Community Center. “We count this as another opportunity to thank God that our community finds us worthy of such generosity.”

The Salvation Army will have the gold coin authenticated before it is sold, and the proceeds from the sale will go toward funding ministries and programs at Eagle Creek Corps in 2024.

American Hartford Gold reports that the price of gold as of December 11 is $1,994.83 per ounce.

“Receiving a gift like this in a kettle is really a double portion for us,” added Major Rachel Stouder, Central Indiana Area Commander. “We are grateful not only for its monetary value but also the morale booster of receiving such a valuable sacrifice from a caring donor. Central Indiana truly does have some of the very best people.”

This is not the first time a precious coin has been donated, according to the Salvation Army of Central Indiana. In 2022, five coins consisting of gold, platinum, and silver were dropped into kettles located in Central Indiana.

Their entire cumulative value was $1,800.

The yearly objective of the Red Kettle Campaign is to raise $3.6 million using the Red Kettles dispersed across Central Indiana. At a number of establishments, including Kroger, Cabela’s, Walgreens, Walmart, Sam’s Club, Needler’s Fresh Market, Hobby Lobby, and Simon Malls, bells began to ring early this year.

Every donation made between November 23 and December 23 will support individuals in Central Indiana who are in need.