Gold is great, but donate what you can afford
A generous act 38 years ago set a tradition of giving for the holidays that shines to this day in Huntley.
This year, someone dropped a 1-ounce gold South African Krugerrand into a red kettle. The volunteer bell ringer for the Salvation Army of McHenry County would thank this person as the volunteer did with everyone that donated. None of the volunteers stare at the donation going into the kettle so this bell ringer would have no idea who gave the gold coin. Major Barbara Owen, corps officer for the Salvation Army of McHenry County, said the volunteer bell ringer was excited over the news that someone had dropped the gold coin into her kettle while she was stationed outside the Jewel-Osco on Village Green Drive in Huntley. Owen has estimated the gold coin’s value at $2,000. Don’t be mistaken by the volunteer’s reaction or Owen acknowledging their excitement over valuable coins. Owen wants you to know the Salvation Army is very appreciative of all those contributing big and small, “supporting their neighbors who are struggling.”
This generous act has a golden history throughout McHenry County but the purpose remains the same. Whether it’s 1982 or 2020, Owen knows how important the generosity of the donors are in times of difficulty.
“The kindness of these benefactors helps to put food on the table and keep the lights on for our neighbors in need,” she said.
The tradition or as some say “The Legend “ began back in 1982. Times were very tough in the northwest suburbs and the need was significant to fund Salvation Army programs locally. There were few volunteers and the Salvation Army had some difficulty with businesses letting their volunteers ring bells in front of their stores. In that year, someone (dubbed the phantom) stepped forward and answered prayers that something would inspire people to give. The phantom donated the first gold coins at a red kettle location at Crystal Point Mall, near the Kmart store. The act of anonymously depositing five 1-ounce gold coins in a Crystal Lake Salvation Army red kettle warmed the hearts of thousands of people and set a tone that’s spread across the country. The story of the mysterious benefactor was told in newspapers, radio, and television.
Speculation as to his or her reason for giving gold coins to the Salvation Army brought attention to dozens of possible benefactors but no one ever stepped forward to absolutely confirm details of the donation. Reporters that tried to uncover the mystery realized this individual felt strongly about anonymity and believed the cause was more important than who was behind the giving of gold. Some people, however, did claim they were the benefactor and asked for the coins back to pay their bills.
The next year and the year after, gold coins were again deposited into red kettles in Crystal Lake. It’s believed the same benefactor would return every year for about seven years in a row until one Christmas, the gold coins just stopped. And then the giving restarted the following year…no, the giving exploded onto our collective psyche, a nation of anonymous giving from the heart, mind, and soul. They gave $100 bills, more gold, and the places they gave were spreading out beyond McHenry County. The benefactors gave throughout Illinois and still the giving spread further until Salvation Army bell ringers across the country told stories of receiving gold coins.
The giving spirit brought emotional responses to many people. They’ve been enjoying the reality of a pure desire to give and the feelings of good tidings to all. Those gold coins wrapped in paper money, deposited in a red kettle, set the tone in 1982 and the tradition continues despite hard times for most of the years since.
In Huntley, the $2,000 gold coin will aid the Salvation Army of McHenry County in helping people in need year-round. Three special coins dropped in a kettle outside the Jewel-Osco on Northwest Highway (Route 14) in Crystal Lake on December 4 are worth $685. The coins are an Australian gold nugget, 2013 American Gold Eagle, and a $5 Canadian Gold Maple Leaf.
“Seeing the gold coins in the kettles brings an excitement to the season as well as a sense of honor in knowing people in our community trust The Salvation Army,” Owen said.
But Owen was quick to point out how serious it is this year that the Salvation Army reaches its goal.
“Unlike previous years, the Salvation Army launched the Rescue Christmas campaign nearly two months early to meet a significant increase in need. Some Salvation Army locations in Chicagoland have seen as much as a fivefold increase in requests for food and emergency assistance since the start of the pandemic,” she said.
Owen is grateful for the significant impact donors are making and wants you to know that all the money donated will remain local. Whether you donate gold coins, $100 bills, or pocket change, any amount will allow the Salvation Army to help more people. A few dollars here and there for the Salvation Army is a most welcome sight and means the world to your neighbors in need.
