It’s shiny and weighs 1 ounce.
And it’s become an annual gift to The Salvation Army in Jacksonville.
An unidentified donor placed a newly minted U.S. Liberty gold coin valued at just more than $1,000 in one of The Salvation Army’s red kettles Monday at Walmart Supercenter on West Morton Avenue.
“In recent years, the gold coin has come to us wrapped in a printed scripture verse, which is wrapped in a dollar bill,” Salvation Army Maj. Charles Pinkston said. “I think it is interesting that they wrap it in a scripture verse because they want to make a generous donation and also remind us of the reason for the Christmas season.”
The coin was found inside a piece of paper on which was printed a passage from Isaiah 9:6, which refers to the birth of Jesus Christ.
“The gift comes to The Salvation Army at a good point during our Tree of Lights campaign, especially since we are still lagging in donations,” Pinkston said.
The Salvation Army was at $88,000, or 44 percent, of its $200,000 goal this week.
Donations can be given at eight red kettle locations in Jacksonville — Shopko, Walmart Supercenter, County Market, Midland Farm & Home Supply, JC Penney, both Walgreens and Jiffi Stop — up to 4 p.m. Thursday. Anyone wishing to make a donation online should go to centralusa.salvationarmy.org or call 1-800-725-2769.
Pinkston said donations made online or over the 800 number will be routed to the Jacksonville Salvation Army based on ZIP code.
“All donations will be used to support our numerous programs, particularly our noon lunch program and our social services program,” Pinkston said.
