A mystery donor left their last Krugerrand in a Salvation Army red kettle and called on others to pick up the tradition. Now, another Krugerrand has been spotted, along with three other gold coins.

Once a year for a decade someone has left a rare 1980 South African gold Krugerrand in the Salvation Army’s red kettle.

Once a year for a decade someone has left a rare 1980 South African gold Krugerrand in the Salvation Army’s red kettle.

The nonprofit often discovers interesting, valuable donations in their iconic red kettles. Most of us instinctively drop in pocket change. But someone, or several folks, dropped off coins that are worth a lot of change.

ST. CLAIR SHORES, Mich. – It happens every year, at the same time, same location. A Secret Santa for the Salvation Army didn’t let the pandemic get in its way. READ: Mystery person drops coin worth $1,300 into Metro Detroit Salvation Army kettleFor the eighth year in a row, someone dropped off a South African Gold Krugerrand into a Red Kettle at the Kroger store near 9 Mile Road and Jefferson Avenue in St. Clair Shores. It’s worth more than $2,000. The fundraiser gathers money for charities across Metro Detroit, and is more important than ever during the uncertainty of the pandemic.

The city’s Christmas tree is up and so is the giant red kettle. Lt. Col. John Turner is the Salvation Army Divisional Commander for the Eastern Michigan Division. The red kettle is 56 feet tall and 24 feet wide. That’s a big bang for your buck if you’re giving to Salvation Army,” Turner said. The Salvation Army hopes to raise $8 million this year for their #RescueChristmas campaign.