Gold krugerrand found in Salvation Army's Red Kettle at Worthington HyVee

Dec. 24—WORTHINGTON — For the second consecutive year, someone has placed a one-half ounce South African krugerrand, a solid gold coin, into The Salvation Army's Red Kettle at Worthington's HyVee store.

One-half ounce of pure gold has an estimated value of $750.

The coin was discovered Wednesday afternoon by volunteer bell ringer Milo Hawkinson, who had opened the kettle to compress the donations to make way for more money to be fit through the slot.

Just like last year, the coin was protected inside a plastic sleeve tucked inside an envelope that came directly from the Littleton Coin Co., in Littleton, New Hampshire. That envelope was then placed inside a manila envelope, which had created the blockage inside the kettle.

"It was getting toward the end of the season, so I was surprised," Hawkinson said of finding the coin.

Kim Schwich, southwest Minnesota field representative for The Salvation Army, said a krugerrand was also found in a Red Kettle in Meeker County this season — that one discovered shortly after Thanksgiving.

The coin's value is based on the daily gold market, which on Wednesday was $1,500 per ounce.

Schwich said 88% of the donations given to The Salvation Army's Red Kettle campaign in Nobles County stay within the county.

This year, the kettles also included a QR code, offering an opportunity for people who don't usually carry cash to make a donation to the organization. Hawkinson said during his approximately 40 hours of volunteer bell ringing during the past month, he saw a couple of people scan the QR code.

Schwich, who noted that people are also welcome to mail their contributions to The Salvation Army, encouraged them to write The Salvation Army of Nobles County on the check, otherwise the funds are distributed wherever needed.

Donations received during the Red Kettle campaign are used throughout the year. Schwich said the Nobles County Sheriff's Office, Worthington Police Department, United Community Action and Southwest Crisis Center all have access to the funds to help those in need. Recipients must be unable to receive funds elsewhere, and are paid in vouchers that can be used to purchase food and other items they need.

The kettles will be removed from stores on Christmas Day.