Gold coin dropped into Salvation Army bucket at Houston Walgreen's

The second gold coin of the season donated to the Salvation Army (Photo: Salvation Army) The second gold coin of the season donated to the Salvation Army (Photo: Salvation Army) Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Gold coin dropped into Salvation Army bucket at Houston Walgreen's 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

The holiday season is in full swing in Houston, as the Salvation Army has just reported that it has received their second gold coin at one of their red kettle sites, this one at a Walgreen's location near The Galleria.

Coupled with the new wintry blast into the city, we're in the midst of a emotional holiday deluge.



The 2013 Lady Liberty one-ounce gold coin was found wrapped inside a dollar bill at at 6360 San Felipe, along with a note featuring a Bible scripture: "Thanks be to God, for His indescribable gift! –Jesus Christ– 2 Corinthians 9:15."



The first gold coin donated this week was a 1980 South African Krugerrand. It was found Tuesday at the Salvation Army red kettle at Sam’s Club on 5310 South Rice Avenue. It was also wrapped inside a one dollar bill with a note attached. The current market value of the coin is upwards of $1,250.

"Last year the Salvation Army received six gold coins in all," according to Sybil Sanchez, Salvation Army media relations manager.



She said the coins come each year from kettles all over the Houston area.



The Salvation Army sells the coins after they are received, with proceeds going back to help the needy.

The Salvation Army practice of using red kettles to raise money over the holidays goes back over 100 years.

Gold coins being dropped into Salvation Army kettles, the ones usually accompanied by a staffer ringing a bell, began in the early 1980s, with an anonymous donor dropping on in a kettle in a Chicago suburb.

Since then, it has been a common occurrence each holiday season for the coins to be found amongst other wadded up bills and pocket change. Sometimes the coins are wrapped in checks made out to the Salvation Army for large sums of money.



Of course, there will always be some people who believe it is a hoax by the Salvation Army to energize people into giving more to the charity.