Gold dropped in Libertyville Salvation Army kettle
An anonymous “Guardian Angel” has extended a giving streak to four consecutive years with a deposit of seven valuable gold coins in a Salvation Army kettle in Libertyville.
A wrapped package containing seven gold Swiss francs valued at $1,500 was found Sunday in the red kettle outside the Jewel Food Store, 400 N. Milwaukee Ave.
“We have a gold distributor. It takes us a few days to weigh them and equate the value,” said Whitney Lewis, media relations manager for the Salvation Army. Five other gold coins have turned up in separate kettles in Lake County this season, bringing the total to 12 with a value of nearly $3,000.
The francs each contain 0.19 ounces of gold, the same as in previous years, and are dated from 1909 to 1947. Based on the handwriting and other factors, Salvation Army officials believe the Libertyville donations the past four years have come from the same person.
“The writing of the note is very similar. The person gives to same kettle every year and he always gives seven,” Lewis said.
The same person is believed to have deposited two packages of seven Swiss gold francs worth $6,930 in 2011, $2,170 in 2012 and $1,960 in 2013 in the same kettle at the Jewel in Libertyville.
The personal, handwritten note is similar to those of past years and contains a heartfelt thank you: “Dear Salvation Army staff and all of your faithful bell ringers, you are all an inspiration to us in your care for our needy men, women and children. God's special blessings on each one of you.”
Major William Holman of the Salvation Army Waukegan Corps, which covers much of Lake County, said the donors' gifts mean everything to those served.
“The more money we are able to raise through generous gifts like this, the more people we are able to help, not only during Christmas but throughout the entire year,” he said.
The tradition of dropping gold coins into Salvation Army kettles began in Lake County more than 25 years ago. Since then, the organization has received more than 400 gold coins of various types from anonymous donors.
Last year, the organization served more than 102,000 people and distributed more than 18,000 food baskets, 38,000 articles of clothing and more than 125,000 toys.
This year, the organization has received more than $6 million in donations for the Red Kettle Campaign, or 40 percent of the $15 million goal. That is down about 10 percent from last year, Lewis said.