CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — The Chicago area branch of the Salvation Army saw red kettle donations drop in 2020, but there was one bright spot: an increase in the number of valuable coins slipped into the containers.
Bell ringers collected an estimated $3 million across the Chicago region, but overall the red kettle campaign saw its collection total drop by more than 10%. The money helps fund a variety of Salvation Army programs.
Mystery donors this year kicked in 42 gold and silver coins, about twice as many as the number collected last year. This year’s valuable coins have an estimated value of more than $41,000.
“While we have not reached our goal we are still counting on the generosity of Chicagoans, who have always been generous in the past during hard times,” said Lt. Col. Lonneal Richardson, Divisional Commander for The Salvation Army Metropolitan Division.
People can still help the organization through online donations. Go to www.salarmychristmas.org through the end of January.
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