The holiday season highlights the generosity of gift giving. It is ever more pronounced this time of year with the abundance of coins dropped into Salvation Army kettles.

On the upper end for donations, South African Krugerrands are again popular, as are American Eagle gold coins. Both are known throughout the world, but the Kurgerrand — denominated in 1 ounce, 1/2 ounce, 1/4 ounce, or 1/10 ounce pure gold, instead dollar face amounts like eagles — has a unique holiday legend.

The legend says a World War II veteran started donating Krugerrands as a means of showing his gratitude for the Salvation Army’s front line service during the war. After he died the legend says his children and others have kept the tradition alive during the holiday bucket drives.

The Salvation Army has been holiday fundraising for many years now. The kettle campaign began back in 1891 and is now used worldwide. It was started by Captain Joseph McGee who wanted to provide a free Christmas dinner for the poor in San Francisco. While the red kettle campaign ends soon, you can always donate online through the Salvation Army website.

US news articles of donations to Salvation Army kettles

Here are samplings of several red kettle coin donations reported within the last few days: Read the rest of this entry »

Dozens of Salvation Army bell ringers experienced an amplified feelings of generosity from gift givers this year. There were reported accounts of over 30 gold coins donated in Salvation Army kettles.

There’s likely many more. It’s nearly impossible to track special coin donations on the national scale through news accounts.

Anonymous donors in the Chicago area alone have reportedly given at least 15 gold and nearly 60 silver coins. Although each was given by someone with a generous heart, most don’t make the news as there’s no face and resulting story to associate with the person giving.

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