First Gold Coins Of Holiday Season Donated To Salvation Army

LAKE COUNTY, IL — Two gold coins valued at $4,250 were dropped off at a Salvation Army location in Lake County Monday afternoon, marking the first coin donations of the holiday season in the Chicago area.

The first gold coin, a one-ounce South African Gold Krugerrand valued at $2,750, was hand delivered to the Waukegan Crops Community Center just after 1 p.m. Monday. An individual walked into the Waukegan Corps and dropped off the coin on behalf of an anonymous donor "who loves the work of The Salvation Army in Lake County," according to a news release from the Salvation Army.

The donor relayed a message to officials with the Salvation Army that they want to continue to help needy families.

The second coin, valued at about $1,500, was walked into the Waukegan Corps on behalf of another donor at 3:30 p.m.

Gold coins, like the ones dropped off in Waukegan, help The Salvation Army support families who are struggling to stay in their homes, put a warm meal on the table and provide Christmas gifts for their children. All Red Kettle donations stay local, and the gold coins will help fund programs and services in the Lake County community.

“These gold coins will help us fund the services that help people in Waukegan all year long,” said Major Dan Faundez, corps officer at The Salvation Army Waukegan Corps. “We hope the generosity of these donors will be matched many times over this Christmas season.”

The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle campaign dates back to 1891 in San Francisco. Gold and silver coins donated to.

The Salvation Army North and Central Illinois Division received ten gold coins during the 2023 Red Kettle campaign.