HOUSTON – The Salvation Army Greater Houston Area Command has received its second gold coin of the holiday season.
The latest gold coin was donated at a red kettle site outside a Kroger in the 1800 block of South Voss in southwest Houston. It was discovered Wednesday night.
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The coin was wrapped inside a $1 bill with a note that read, "Glory to God in the highest!"
This is the first time a gold coin was donated at this particular red kettle site.
The first gold coin of the season was discovered Tuesday at a red kettle site outside Sam's Club in the 5300 block of South Rice Avenue in southwest Houston. The Houston Gold Exchange purchased it for $5,000. The company said it would purchase the second gold coin for the same price.
"We don't know if this is the same donor or the same group of donors. Whoever the anonymous donor is, we want them to know that we are incredibly thankful and humbled by their gift. This generosity is a true testament to the giving spirit of the Houston community," said Captain Stephen Na, the commanding officer over the International Corps Community Center. "I think people are responding because they have heard our message that we are down this season. We are blessed that they are doing so."
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.
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.