Another generous donor recently left more than loose change in a Salvation Army red kettle in downtown Boston.
Salvation Army officials said an anonymous donor dropped a diamond-and-gold fish pin brooch in a kettle at Downtown Crossing on Nov. 29. The 18K gold brooch with 32 diamonds, valued at nearly $5,000, is the first such gift to the Salvation Army this season.
"The kind soul that donated this brooch is emblematic of the generosity and charity we see in Massachusetts every holiday season," said Major David B. Davis, The Salvation Army’s Massachusetts Divisional Commander.
Anonymous donors have been leaving jewelry in red kettles since 2014 when a local widow dropped her valuable wedding ring into one.
The trend continued for the next two holiday seasons, with a Rolex watch and dozens of precious jewelry items donated across the state. According to the Salvation Army, nearly $70,000 in proceeds were collected from jewelry donations since 2014.
The Salvation Army said the brooch, along with any other jewelry they receive this year, will be auctioned off with proceeds going to provide vital programming and services for thousands of children, families and seniors in the region.
The Salvation Army is hoping to meet their statewide Red Kettle Campaign goal of $3.5 million this year.
