1st gold coin shows up in Round Lake Salvation Army kettle

The first gold coin of the season showed up in a Salvation Army Red Kettle outside a Round Lake Wal-Mart over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, Salvation Army officials say.

The 1 ounce fine gold coin - valued at about $1,200 - was the first in a much-anticipated giving tradition. Donated gold coins began showing up in kettles more than 25 years ago in Lake County and since then, more than 400 gold coins of every type and description have been anonymously donated, Salvation Army officials say.

"This time of year, we are reminded of the generosity of our donors, and the needs of our clients," Major William Holman of The Salvation Army Waukegan Corps said in a statement. "Gold coins are important, not only because of the direct benefit that the additional funds provide to the people that we serve, but also because it provides both our bell ringers and our community with more optimism for the year to come. Even though these gold coins were placed in one particular kettle, all of our bell ringers celebrate together and it really inspires everyone in the community to help their neighbors in need."

Last year during the holidays, The Salvation Army served more than 102,000 people, distributing more than 18,000 food baskets, 38,000 articles of clothing and more than 125,000 toys.

The red kettles remain outside stores through Dec. 24. The red kettle campaign continues through Jan. 31.