Valuable Donations Fill Salvation Army Red Kettles

Generous donors are again filling up the Salvation Army's holiday red kettles across Massachusetts.

The charitable organization says more valuables are appearing in their signature kettles after a wedding band and a diamond engagement ring were donated earlier this month in Lowell.

Engagement rings were dropped in kettles in Boston and Framingham recently. A vintage ladies watch and emerald jewelry was left in Swampscott. And silver dollars from the late 1800s have been left in kettles in Woburn, Salem and Lowell each bearing a note saying, "In Memory of Mom."

Last December, a widow's donation of her wedding and diamond engagement rings in Boston touched off a wave of similar giving.

The charity says donations are down about 14 percent from last year but it hopes to raise $3.4 million.