Gold coins appear in two red kettles in McHenry County
Residents of McHenry County anxiously await the news of gold coins and The Salvation Army of McHenry County would like to share that a South African Kugerrand was dropped into a kettle manned by the Fox River Grove Lions Club Dec. 12.
The first known drop of a gold coin in a Salvation Army red kettle was put into a kettle in Crystal Lake, Illinois in 1982. The Salvation Army of McHenry County has received a gold coin or several each year since 1982.
Two additional gold coins were donated Dec. 12 - a ΒΌ-ounce gold coin donated at Crystal Lake Jewel, manned by the CL Force Soccer and a 1/10th-ounce gold coin at the Crystal Lake Walgreens-Route 14, manned by the Fire Flyettes.
The gold coins pushed the Salvation Army of McHenry County closer to its annual fundraising goal.
"We are grateful for the overwhelming generosity of this anonymous donors and their commitment to help us do to the most good in McHenry County," said Salvation Army Captain Carol Lewis in a statement.
As of Friday, Dec. 18, The Salvation Army of McHenry County said it is $50,000 away from its fundraising goal, with just five days left in the campaign. The iconic red kettles have been on streets since Nov. 13, with the goal of raising $200,000 by ringing the bell to fund emergency and social service programs offered to residents of McHenry County.
Volunteer bell-ringers are still needed at kettle sites throughout McHenry County - just 2 hours of your day can make a difference and help us reach our goal.
"Every donation, of any amount, helps us provide critical emergency assistance to McHenry County residents in need," said Captain Carol Lewis, Commanding Officer of The Salvation Army of McHenry County, "Donations to the red kettles not only support the services we provide at Christmastime, but throughout the entire year and stay in McHenry County."
The Salvation Army is doing their best to make a difference right here in McHenry County helping our friends and neighbors with the needed boost to help their families make it through the holidays and the impending cold weather. Basic necessities of life are being challenged. Will the families choose food, clothing, shelter or their prescriptions? There is not enough money to have it all.
There are many ways you can get involved with The Salvation Army and be a part of something much bigger than us. You can adopt a kettle, be a bell-ringer, make an online gift, and collect toys or sponsor a family. The Salvation Army lists many ways we can each help to make this Christmas one which an area family will never forget; these ideas can be found at www.salarmycl.org or by calling (815) 455-2769.
For those wishing to donate at their computers, virtual Red Kettles are available online. Donors can host a virtual red kettle, or sponsor a red kettle team, by going on The Salvation Army of McHenry County website at www.salarmycl.org.
Visitors to the site can register individually, as a group, or a business by completing a simple registration form.
For information about The Salvation Army of McHenry County, or to donate or volunteer, visit www.salarmycl.org or call (815) 455-2769.