$1,600 Coin Donated at Salvation Army Red Kettle in Linn County

A local charity received a special gift over the weekend. One that couldn't have come at a better time.

The Salvation Army of Cedar Rapids reports that they received a one-ounce Canadian gold coin at one of their red kettles on Saturday, December 19th. According to the Salvation Army, that magical ounce of pure gold is valued at more than $1,600.

Captain Shawn DeBaar (photographed above with the gold coin) told KCRG,

This is truly a wonderful gift in a time of unbelievable need. Our community has dealt with so much this year and The Salvation Army has served a record number of our neighbors due to that need. This gold coin is an affirmation of that work and the knowledge that the need will remain into the new year.

Last December, the Detroit Free Press reported people were dropping gold coins in the red kettles all across the nation. Some other, more odd items were also being donated. Someone donated a diamond ring... something tells me that relationship didn't end well. Gold teeth were also donated last year. Personally, I'm not sure I'd want to be the person who had to collect that one out of the red kettle.

This week is the final one of this year's Red Kettle campaign for the Salvation Army. KCRG reports this year's big fundraiser has received donations of more than 80 percent of their goal of $711,000.

2020 has definitely been a tough year for charities across the area, and the Salvation Army is certainly no different. If you'd like to volunteer to ring the Salvation Army bell and collect donations this week, you can do that HERE.