Salvation Army bell ringers have struck gold for the fifth year in a row, as 16 rare gold coins have turned up in Geneva kettles so far this holiday season.
“It’s been very exciting. The bell ringers are thrilled when they find out one of the coins came from their kettle,” said Salvation Army Capt. Todd Thielke.
Fifteen British gold sovereigns landed in kettles downtown during Christmas Walk Dec. 5 and 6. The dime-size coins, dated between 1892 and 1913, are worth about $50 each, Thielke said. A donor put a gold krugerrand in a kettle near Ace Hardware on State Street just west of downtown on Nov. 29. The old South African coin is worth about $400, Thielke said.
Salvation Army officials expect to see an additional 15 or so gold coins in Chicago-area kettles before the holidays end. “It’s become more trendy. People like to give gold,” said Thielke. “It’s a great way to tie donating into the Christmas story, because the three Kings gave gold to Jesus.” The first krugerrand appeared in 1982 in Crystal Lake.
The Salvation Army operates about 1,000 kettles throughout the 11-county Chicago region, said public relations director Rich Grozik. Officials hope to raise $3 million this season to help support increased demand for the agency’s social service programs, he added.