HOUSTON – The Salvation Army Greater Houston Area Command has received a generous donation just days into the official kick off of the Red Kettle fundraising campaign.
The nonprofit received its first gold coin of the season Tuesday. It was discovered at a Red Kettle site outside Sam's Club in the 5300 block of South Rice Avenue in southwest Houston.
Recommended Videos
The gold coin was wrapped inside a $1 bill with a note that read "A child is born, Jesus!"
"This is a wonderful start to our holiday fundraising efforts," said Lt. Josh McKain of the Salvation Army Irvington Corps Community Center.
This year is especially critical for the Salvation Army. The nonprofit is entering its Red Kettle season with a significant decrease in donations over the holiday season.
"We are extremely grateful to the person who made this donation. It is not only a significant boost for us this year as a monetary donation, but also a huge motivation for all of our kettle workers and really all of us who are involved in the Red Kettle campaign," said McKain.
The Salvation Army's Red Kettle campaign is the largest and oldest charitable fundraiser of its kind in the United States, and the funds raised locally benefit programs and services that include the nonprofit organization's annual Christmas assistance program known as the Angel Tree program.
Some 30,000 children and seniors have registered to receive new unwrapped gifts from the Angel Tree program.