An anonymous benefactor, inspired by the generosity of a widow's gift of two wedding rings, dropped a diamond-encrusted cross into a Salvation Army kettle in Brookline, Massachusetts.
The pendant was found earlier this month in a white envelope while Captain Myron Smith was sifting through donations from a Red Kettle outside Stop & Shop.
The donor, believed to be a woman, came to the U.S. from Australia with a young son.
A note, along with the cross, read:
"I needed to find somewhere for us, particularly my son, to be happy again. We had visited Boston several times and always loved it here.
Since relocating, people have been so warm, friendly, kind and accommodating to us, and I have been trying to think of a way to give back to the people of Boston.
Every year, for the past five years, my three sons and I arrange to do something for underprivileged people at Christmas time, but not knowing Boston well, I was unsure how I could go about it this year, until I saw a story on the news about a lady who put two rings in the Salvo's kettle at Park Street Station, and asked that they be sold, and the money used to buy toys for children at Christmas. This inspired me, and I have enclosed this diamond cross, which is symbolic of Christmas, and ask that you sell it and use the money to help those less fortunate this Christmas, as my way of thanking the people of Boston, particularly Brookline, for welcoming us into their hearts, and allowing my son and I to be happy again.
Massachusetts
The latest news from around the state
Happy holidays and Merry Christmas. God bless all of your tireless workers, who make such a difference every day."
The cross has informally been appraised at $1,500.
"At the end of the night, we were emptying our buckets into the bags to go into the safe, and I saw this white envelope and it caught my attention, so I decided to open it, and I see this beautiful letter with this tissue paper wrapped, and there's something in there, and that's when I was just blown away by this wonderful gift that we received," Salvation Army of Massachusetts Capt. Myron Smith said.
The Salvation Army has set a statewide Red Kettle campaign goal of $3.36 million this year to support individuals and families throughout the Commonwealth.
