Bell ringers for Salvation Army traditionally request cash donations, but a recent trend in the Boston area has seen charitable people giving jewelry. The organization is now auctioning off about 60 pieces.
It's a sound and a sign of the holiday season. The bell ringers of the Salvation Army are out again, the most visible indication of the annual fundraising effort.
But in Boston, something different has developed over the past couple of years.
"we're out there, just ringing our classic bell. That's the call to give," explained Major Greg Hartshorn. "And somehow, people have been moved to, inspired to, turn in jewelry."
It all started in 2014 when a local widow dropped a valuable wedding ring set into a red kettle. That inspired more jewelry donations.
"It's really becoming kind of a Boston phenomenon," Harshorn said.
This year, they have about 60 pieces, so they turned to Everything But The House, an online auctioneer, to sell the donated jewelry. EBTH's team of in-house experts works with third party authentication companies before listing each item.
Hartshorn says his favorite item was a gold Rolex watch a man donated without identifying himself.
