$175 Gold Coin in Salvation Army Red Kettle Means Time for Giving is Here

Down the road in Iowa City, volunteers discovered a $175 gold coin, generously dropped in a Red Kettle by a mystery donor.

Stories like that warm the heart around the holiday season and offers a reminder to the rest of us to dig a little deeper to help the less fortunate.

The Salvation Army's Red Kettle program is one way. In the Linn County area, you should start seeing bell ringers popping up. The drive has been going since Nov. 13. There are more than 30 locations in Linn County, including Hy-Vee and Walmart in Marion.

So far, the cause has raised $217,000 of a $755,000 goal.

They are still looking for volunteers to serve as bell ringer. Here are opportunities in Marion:

Fareway - View Dates and Times

Hy-Vee - View Dates and Times

Walmart Supercenter - grocery entrance - View Dates and Times

Walmart Supercenter - merchandise entrance - View Dates and Times

Volunteers can also learn more by contacting Debra Applebee, volunteer manager, at 319-364-9131, ext 107 or Linda Blazek, volunteer coordinator at ext. 104. 

In Iowa City, a volunteer discovered a 1/10 Krugerrand coin worth $175 earlier this month.

This is now the fifth year someone has donated a gold coin in one of the Red Kettles.  Last year a 1/10 ounce American Eagle was found.  

“This is becoming a wonderful tradition here in Johnson County.  One we hope continues for many years to come,” said Lieutenant William Richardson of the Johnson County Salvation Army.