goldcoinEverything from a penny to $500,000 has been dropped into a red kettle this holiday season.  Now, thanks to a donation in Jamestown, the Salvation Army can add a gold coin to that list.

The 2015 American Eagle one-half ounce gold proof coin retails for $720 at the United States mint, while the current price for gold is around $500 per half ounce. The Jamestown Salvation Army stands to gain somewhere between those two figures.  The gold coin was most likely dropped into a kettle near Cash Wise in the Plaza Mall sometime Wednesday afternoon.

Major Tim Nauta, says “Giving has been slow so far this year, so this gives us a nice boost,  Our Christmas Campaign is way behind so we’ll take all the donations and volunteer bell ringers we can get.”

Only 18 bell ringing days remain and there are still plenty of two hour volunteer shifts available at locations across Jamestown. It’s easy to sign up either call  701-252-0290 or register online to ring a bell at Buffalo Mall, Park Plaza Mall, Walmart or Cash Wise.

Major Nauta adds, “This is our greatest fundraising campaign of the year Christmas may seem far off, but it’s really right around the corner and we need all the help we can get.”

Additionally, you can find Angel Trees at the Buffalo Mall where there’s two trees and another at Stutsman Harley Davidson, 2501 3rd Ave. SW. Simply take a tag from the tree and give a gift to somebody who would otherwise go without.

It’s not the only large donation to a Salvation Army kettle in the region this holiday season. Someone put a $500,000 check into a kettle in Minneapolis late last month.