The Salvation Army Christmas Kettle – and the often cheerful bell ringer that accompanies — it have become practically synonymous with the holidays and season of giving in the years since its institution in 1891.
Passersby often drop change or a few scraps of dollar bills into the red bucket, but one generous donor in Minneapolis slipped a check with an enormous sum made out to the Twin Cities Salvation Army, the charity said in a press release.
READ: Atheist Group Opposes Politician Bell-Ringing for the Salvation Army
The good Samaritan, who asked to be anonymous, made the donation in the south metro area in Minneapolis on Monday. It was a surprise to the faith-base charitable organization, which provides food, housing and financial assistance to people in need.
Poverty is an everyday battle. #FightForGood Series #5: Family vs. bed bugs. https://t.co/mzAmnTXvSG pic.twitter.com/GwtQDwkj41
— Salvation Army North (@salarmynorth) December 20, 2017
“We were stunned and thrilled to have received such a large donation,” said Lt. Col. Lonneal Richardson, leader of the Army’s Northern Division. “This gift comes at a critical time for the Salvation Army.”
On Saturday, the donor called staff at Twin Cities Salvation Army in Roseville to alert them that he intended to put a large check in a nearby red kettle, the newspaper reported. He instructed them to look for the check and assured that it would be legitimate.
God is so good. We cannot thank this donor enough. https://t.co/UnN5H9hb3R
"$200,000 check dropped in a red kettle by anonymous donor" pic.twitter.com/89br53fxMO
— Salvation Army North (@salarmynorth) December 18, 2017
The donor told staff that he made the large donation “to inspire other people to give as much as they can.”
Donations are down 10 percent since last year, according to the Twin Cities Salvation Army. The organization is aiming to hit a goal of $11.7 million in donations by the end of the year.
(WCCO)