Four Gold Coins Found In Tulsa Salvation Army Red Kettles

Friday, December 19th 2014, 12:35 pm

By: News On 6

Some Salvation Army red kettles turned into treasure chests as several gold coins were donated across Tulsa Thursday.

Friday, the Salvation Army found out those treasures totaled out to a $5,100 donation.

Four gold coins, that's the treasure volunteers found inside four different red Kettles from across the city.

"The very first kettle, pulled out a $2 bill and it was heavy, and, you know, normally cash doesn't have any weight to it," said Major Jim Taylor with the Salvation Army.

Four gold coins were found inside four different red kettles across Tulsa Thursday.

Three gold 1880 $20 coins, wrapped in $2 bills, and a unique South African gold coin called a Krugerrand, totaled a $5,100 donation for the Salvation Army.

“I don't know where they come from, but it's exciting, and a big blessing to us," Taylor said.

It's something that's been happening for years now.

"There must be someone who is a collector or knows the value of the gold coins, and, maybe they're going to do a donation every year and they decide to do it in a creative manner by getting coins and putting them in the kettles," said Taylor.

It's this kind of generosity that the Salvation Army hopes continues throughout the holidays as the New Year quickly approaches and they try to meet their end of the year goal.

"Our goal is $600,000, and as of yesterday we were at about $425,000, so almost about $200,000 behind our goal. That's a lot to make up in five days," said Taylor. “We'll take whatever people can put in there because that money is used year round to help feed people, shelter people, help with our programs that are for our boys and girls club, so whatever assistance we can get in our kettles is greatly appreciated."

Taylor said he is optimistic about their red kettle donation goal, he said even though they only have five days left, he believes generous Tulsans will step up to the plate and make it happen.