By Delayna Earley
The Island News
We have all seen them.
A red bucket hanging outside of popular shopping locations during the holiday season with volunteers ringing a bell to encourage members of the public to donate.
Often people will give the change from their pockets or small dollar bills as they come and go from the stores, but one individual has contributed a rather special coin to the kettle in front of the Sam’s Club in Bluffton every year for the past five years.
On Saturday, Dec. 16, a one-ounce gold coin was donated to the bucket, and it is a mystery as to who donated it.
The back of the gold coin that was donated to the kettle outside of the Sam’s Club in Bluffton. Photo courtesy by Salvation Army Capt. Wanda Long
The price of gold fluctuates, but as of press time the price for an ounce of gold is $2,043.
In 2022, the gold coin was valued at just more than $1,900 according to Capt. Wanda Long with The Salvation Army of the Lowcountry.
Long said that while they appreciate all donations, the generosity of this individual has blown her away for the past five years.
“We have been able to do so much with that money to help those in Beaufort County who need assistance with rent, utilities and basic needs,” Long said. “We really would just love to find whoever has been donating the gold coins and say thank you.”
The red kettle campaign with The Salvation Army has been an effective way for the nonprofit organization to make money to help those in need since the late 1800s, when Salvation Army Capt. Joseph McFee wanted to help feed the “destitute and poverty-stricken” in San Francisco on Christmas Day.
“We just want them to know that we received the donation,” Long said. “We have honored their kindness and generosity toward those in our community that we serve.”
While donations to the organization, even anonymous ones, are not unheard of, they are the first in the Carolinas to receive a gold coin donation, according to Long.
The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle program will continue in the Lowcountry until Dec. 23, and you can find them at most local Walmart stores and Sam’s Club – it just depends on how many bell ringer volunteers they have.
Delayna Earley formerly worked as a photojournalist for The Island Packet/The Beaufort Gazette, as well as newspapers in Indiana and Virginia. She can be reached at delayna.theislandnews@gmail.com.
