$50,000 Gift Left in Salvation Army Pots

AOL ^ | Dec, 22 | AP

[FRGOPPER]

JOPLIN, Mo. (Dec. 22) - An anonymous donor has come through again for the Salvation Army, dropping five cashier's checks for $10,000 each into kettles at the city's two Wal-Mart stores. It's the fifth straight year someone has given $50,000 to the Salvation Army's annual holiday fundraiser without taking credit for the generous gesture. And while Capt. Jason Poff says he doesn't budget for the money in advance, but he admits that it's something he does hope for each year.

[FRGOPPER]

"We try not to plan on it because it is a gift," Poff said. The checks, purchased from Commerce Bank, were dropped into the kettles Thursday. The remitter identified the giver as "Santa Claus." With only a few days left in the annual kettle campaign, the donation moves the agency within $25,000 of its goal of $216,000. Fred Osborn, president of Commerce Bank of Joplin, said he didn't know the name of the person who bought the checks at the bank, but noted that even if he did know, the information would be confidential. "It's Santa Claus," Osborn said. "He banks with Commerce. He has for years." Poff called the contributions "tremendous" in light of an economic downturn. A pattern has emerged for the annual donations. They are usually put into the kettles late in the Salvation Army's campaign, and usually at a Wal-Mart. They have come in the form of checks for the last three years, while in the two previous years large numbers of $100 bills were stuffed into various kettles throughout the city. Poff said the Salvation Army believes those cash donations totaled up to $50,000 during those two years, though he acknowledged that it's hard to tell because they were in cash. Last year two similar checks of $10,000 apiece were given to Souls Harbor and City of Refuge, two agencies that help with the homeless. Souls Harbor director Joan Lewis said the shelter had not received such a check as of Friday. "We have not as of yet," she said, "but we hope we will."

[Diana in Wisconsin]

We had a Good Samaritan drop a $5K check into the pot at our local grocer in our Cow Town of 6,000 hearty souls.

I've heard of this happening all around the USA this year, when you think people wouldn't have the extra cash to donate.

[combat_boots]

God bless these generous souls.

[ConservativeMind]

This used to happen in Peoria, IL, with gold coins being dropped in the Salvation Army buckets there.

Every year, I marvel at these people. They pick a truly righteous charity to help while encouraging all of us to also give.

May God bless these people, their families, and friends.

[Girlene]

Awesome news for the Salvation Army! Also, there are more reports of gold coins being dropped in the kettles throughout the US again this year.

[R. Scott]

Every year someone drops Gold Double Eagles in a local pot.

[stylin_geek]

The Salvation Army is the only charity I am willing to donate to any more.

[jimt]

There’s no worthier Christmas donation than to the Salvation Army. I ALWAYS drop something in the pot - not $50K, though, unfortunately.

And I’m agnostic !

[Moltke]

DB Cooper?

[chiefqc]

Me also.

[lilycicero]

It’s Red...he’s been taking the gold out of his teeth and making them into coins again. I tried to stick a gold chocolate coin in the kettle, but the bell ringer clocked me with the bell...stung a bit.

[RedRover]

Shhhh, I wish to remain anonymous.

[Girlene]

It’s Red...he’s been taking the gold out of his teeth and making them into coins again.

Red, skip the process and deposit your gold teeth directly. The Salvation Army will accept them. :-)

But still, it’s interesting to take in the uniqueness of kettle gifts that have included platinum, gold, silver and rare coins, gold bars, nuggets, rolled $100 dollar bills, rings, and even a gold tooth here and there. 2007: More Than 30 Gold Coins Dropped into Bell Ringer Kettles I

[lilycicero]

I got a bell...does anyone have a red kettle and stand? I swear I’ll share.

[R. Scott]

It’s one of the most worthy - the money goes to where it’s needed, not into a board of directors pockets.

[Bag]

The Salvation Army is very close to my heart. I give every year and it makes me feel good.

May God Bless and keep us all safe in the coming new year.

[R. Scott]

The Salvation Army is a very worthy cause.

[Bag]

I grew up serving Christ in the Salvation Army. My mother was a dedicated church member and we spent many hours ringing the bell by the red kettle.

A worthy cause, indeed!

[\/\/ayne]

My first time was this year, it was great! I sang Christmas carols the whole time.

[Bag]

Nice picture, Wayne :)

What city?

[\/\/ayne]

A Fry's Supermarket between Vail, AZ and Tucson. I had extra copies of songsheets and got various groups and people to sing along for a song or two, including a group of skateboard kids and various other families and groups.