Salvation Army kettles strike gold in Indiana

[December 09, 2010]  SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) -- The Salvation Army red kettles are coming up golden in Indiana.

The charity says anonymous donors have left gold coins in kettles in Mishawaka and Kokomo this Christmas season.

The South Bend Tribune reports that someone dropped a 1-ounce U.S. gold coin worth $1,400 in a kettle outside a Sam's Club in Mishawaka. The coin was wrapped in a $100 bill and a small note thanking the organization for "doing God's work."

The Kokomo Tribune reports that another donor dropped a South African Krugerrand worth more than $1,400 in a kettle at Markland Mall in Kokomo.

The Salvation Army also has received four gold coins in Chicago and its surrounding suburbs.

Despite the gold coin donations, officials in South Bend and Kokomo say donations are running behind expectations.

[Associated Press]

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