Gold coin dropped into Salvation Army red kettle in Geneva

Workers with the Salvation Army Tri-Cities Corps found something special in the donation basket earlier this month - a gold coin thought to be valued at more than $2,000.

Salvation Army Resource Development Director Steven Hawkins said the coin was discovered the evening of Dec. 2 by workers emptying the donation kettles for the day. The coin was dropped into a kettle outside the Starbucks in downtown Geneva.

Hawkins said the donation went unnoticed at first because it was wrapped in a dollar bill, which appeared intended to keep the donation anonymous. He said workers didn’t recognize the coin, but as soon as they picked it up and felt its weight, they knew it was real gold.

“We really appreciate it and want to thank them, but obviously they like to keep it anonymous,” Hawkins said, “But we want them to know how much we appreciate it, and all of our donors this time of year.”

Hawkins has been with the Salvation Army for four years, and said finding a gold coin donation is not unheard of. In fact, it is somewhat of a tradition in Kane County, as they receive a gold Krugerrand in the Starbucks kettle almost every year.

After Christmas, the organization will take the coin, known as a $50 Gold American Eagle Coin, to an appraiser and then sell it. The proceeds will go to the Salvation Army and likely be used to purchase items to supplement its food pantry, Hawkins said.

The Salvation Army has a large food pantry in St. Charles, which Hawkins said has been difficult to maintain in recent years. In 2022, the pantry served 6,200 people, and so far this year it has served more than 10,000.

The Tri-Cities Corps has 18 donation kettles out in the community this year, and is working towards a $195,000. fundraising goal.