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Surprise! Salvation Army finds two golden rings in dollar bill in red kettle
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By Cindy Iutzi/Gate City Staff Writer
Volunteers at the Salvation Army headquarters in Keokuk began emptying red kettles from Monday's bellringing when “what did their wondering eyes proclaim” but a dollar bill wrapped tightly around two golden rings.
“Mike O'Connor helped count the kettle donations and said, ‘I think there is something in this,'” said Maj. Diana Amick of the Salvation Army.
Veterans of many Christmas kettle campaigns, Amick and the others located a camera to record what would next unfold.
O'Connor unwrapped the dollar bill slowly and there nestled inside were two golden rings - one with diamonds and the other with a gemstone. The rings had been dropped in the kettle at Walmart's garden department.
“We were all surprised together,” Amick said. “This has been a difficult Christmas for many reasons: the weather not cooperating, a long-time bell ringer, Stephen Congor, is hospitalized and the fundraising campaign is lagging. So this was a wonderful surprise, an encouragement that lifted everyone's spirits today (Wednesday).”
A note on the bill wrapped around the rings said, “God loved us first. Merry Christmas and may He bless all you do” printed in black magic marker.
Amick said the note is “meaningful and encouraging.”
Bellringers have been standing at red Salvation Army kettles outside stores for weeks now, but donations are not coming in very quickly. As of Sunday, the total collection so far is $45,687 - less than half the Salvation Army's goal of $92,000.
Amick explained that the more of a fundraising shortfall the Salvation Army experiences, the less help it can provide people who need assistance with fuel bills and the more difficult it will be to keep the building operational and normal operations staffed.
There have been a few additional bright spots in the campaign.
This fall, Albert Elbe of Keokuk gave the Salvation Army five bejeweled and golden rings and a string of pearls to help out with the fund drive.
One of the rings bears an amethyst, two women's rings look to have diamonds and two men's rings appear to have precious stones as well.
The Salvation Army also found a man's diamond wedding band in one of its kettles the week following Thanksgiving and a diamond engagement ring in the Fort Madison Shopko kettle in the week of Dec. 8.
A Kennedy half-dollar was contributed this week.
This year adequate resources for the Salvation Army have additional importance, said Susan Leaf, Salvation Army office manager.
“The need has increased due to the economic situation in our area and across the country,” she said.
Last year the Salvation Army held a silent auction for seven gold rings that had been dropped into kettles during the 2007 fundraising campaign.
The rings sold for $2,200, pushing the year-end drive total over its $80,000 goal.
“Mike O'Connor helped count the kettle donations and said, ‘I think there is something in this,'” said Maj. Diana Amick of the Salvation Army.
Veterans of many Christmas kettle campaigns, Amick and the others located a camera to record what would next unfold.
O'Connor unwrapped the dollar bill slowly and there nestled inside were two golden rings - one with diamonds and the other with a gemstone. The rings had been dropped in the kettle at Walmart's garden department.
“We were all surprised together,” Amick said. “This has been a difficult Christmas for many reasons: the weather not cooperating, a long-time bell ringer, Stephen Congor, is hospitalized and the fundraising campaign is lagging. So this was a wonderful surprise, an encouragement that lifted everyone's spirits today (Wednesday).”
A note on the bill wrapped around the rings said, “God loved us first. Merry Christmas and may He bless all you do” printed in black magic marker.
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Bellringers have been standing at red Salvation Army kettles outside stores for weeks now, but donations are not coming in very quickly. As of Sunday, the total collection so far is $45,687 - less than half the Salvation Army's goal of $92,000.
Amick explained that the more of a fundraising shortfall the Salvation Army experiences, the less help it can provide people who need assistance with fuel bills and the more difficult it will be to keep the building operational and normal operations staffed.
There have been a few additional bright spots in the campaign.
This fall, Albert Elbe of Keokuk gave the Salvation Army five bejeweled and golden rings and a string of pearls to help out with the fund drive.
One of the rings bears an amethyst, two women's rings look to have diamonds and two men's rings appear to have precious stones as well.
The Salvation Army also found a man's diamond wedding band in one of its kettles the week following Thanksgiving and a diamond engagement ring in the Fort Madison Shopko kettle in the week of Dec. 8.
A Kennedy half-dollar was contributed this week.
This year adequate resources for the Salvation Army have additional importance, said Susan Leaf, Salvation Army office manager.
“The need has increased due to the economic situation in our area and across the country,” she said.
Last year the Salvation Army held a silent auction for seven gold rings that had been dropped into kettles during the 2007 fundraising campaign.
The rings sold for $2,200, pushing the year-end drive total over its $80,000 goal.
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