Salvation Army’s Secret Santa drops gold Krugerrand

ST. CLAIR SHORES

A view of the rare South African gold Krugerrand that was dropped into the red kettle at the Kroger in St. Clair Shores and the note left by the Secret Santa who has been donating the coins to The Salvation Army Red Kettle Christmas Campaign for the past 12 years.

Major David Minks, Corps Officer for The Salvation Army in Warren holds the rare South African gold Krugerrands recently donated to The Salvation Army Red Kettle Christmas Campaign. One was dropped in a kettle Saturday and the second on Monday, which included a note from the Secret Santa saying it was the last Krugerrand. PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE SALVATION ARMY

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By Gina Joseph

gjoseph@medianewsgroup.com

The Salvation Army’s Secret Santa has struck again.

But sadly, for the last time.

Every year a generous soul living somewhere in Macomb County or the Detroit area has dropped a rare South African gold Krugerrand into a red kettle. Nobody ever knows when or where Santa might strike, which not only creates a wave of excitement and speculation as to who the mysterious individual might be but adds a little more magic to the The Salvation Army Red Kettle Christmas Campaign.

“It’s always a welcomed gift, for sure, but this year it seems to be a little bit different,” said Major David Minks, corps officer with The Salvation Army in Warren.

The donation came earlier than most years.

Officials found the gold Krugerrand during Monday’s count of the red kettle at the Kroger, located at 23191 Marter Road in St. Clair Shores and this time there was a note attached to the coin saying:

Merry Christmas to all and to all a Good Night.

I am sorry to say this is my last Krugerrand.

Hoping there are others who have Krugerrands that can help keep up this tradition in the future to help so many in need during the holidays.

God Bless

Monday’s discovery was bittersweet.

A single gold Krugerrand is worth an estimated $2,642, according to Monex, a company that deals in precious metals. So, it will provide a boost to the campaign and additional funding for the homeless programs provided in Warren and as Mink said, “Getting people off the streets and into the shelter where we can help them get back on their feet has always been our greatest endeavor.”

It also came just a day before Giving Tuesday, when all statewide donations to The Salvation Army Great Lakes Division up to $25,000 will be doubled, thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor.

But it could be the last one they’ll see.

Those who have followed this Secret Santa have wondered for years who it might be?

Now the question is whether or not there’s another person who can fill his boots and carry on the wonderful tradition that he — or she — started.

Ironically, a second coin was dropped in another red kettle over the weekend and while it was assumed that it came from the Salvation Army’s Secret Santa it could also mean there’s another person out there with Krugerrands to share.

“It’s exciting to see the gold coin and I would love to see the tradition continued,” Minks said. “But we are always truly thankful for the nickel and dimes that come together every year to help those with the greatest need.”