CHICAGO, Dec. 20 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Anonymous donors have dropped 15 gold and nearly 60 silver coins into Salvation Army Red Kettles throughout the Chicago region so far this Christmas season, including five gold South African Krugerrands, a gold 1924 U.S. Double Eagle and an 1881 U.S. Silver Dollar.

More than three dozen of the coins were tossed into kettles in Northwest Indiana. One of those coins was a 1993 American Eagle gold coin that landed in the Red Kettle at the Walgreens at 13242 Wicker Ave. in Cedar Lake -- the most valuable coin ever received in a kettle by the Army's Hammond-Munster Corps. In all, donors have plunked about 75 gold and silver coins into Salvation Army kettles from Chicago's Mayfair neighborhood to Round Lake, Palatine and other communities in Illinois and Munster, Cedar Lake and other communities in Indiana.

Since 1982, when the first gold coin was donated to a kettle in McHenry County, The Salvation Army in the Chicago region has received more than 350 gold coins. Donating gold coins to Salvation Army Red Kettles has since become an annual custom, not just in Chicago where it began, but throughout the nation.

"We're proud this tradition began right here in Chicagoland and honored that area residents continue to be so generous," said Lt. Colonel David E. Grindle, Divisional Commander of The Salvation Army.

"The gold coins always get the most attention. But every nickel, dime and quarter adds up as well. In fact, the coins and paper money donated to Salvation Army kettles provides a wide range of vital social services to thousands of less fortunate people throughout the region -- not just during the holidays but all year long."

The gold and silver coins will be sold and the money will be used to fund Salvation Army services and programs in the area. As of Thursday, December 20, The Salvation Army's Red Kettle Fundraising Campaign, which in addition to the kettles includes direct mail and other fundraising efforts, has raised $6,547,548.21 -- about 60 percent towards reaching the Army's $11 million goal for the campaign.

The Salvation Army receives most of its donations for the entire year during its Christmas campaign, money that feeds the hungry, shelters the homeless and provides a wide range of other social services, including substance abuse treatment, counseling for prisoners transitioning back into society, crisis intervention for families, Head Start for pre-schoolers, youth leadership training, activities for seniors, and music, arts and athletic programs for Chicagoans of all ages. Over the past year alone, The Salvation Army provided nearly 1.9 million meals to the hungry throughout Chicagoland. Every night, more than 1,000 people spend the night under a Salvation Army roof in the area.

The Salvation Army is the largest direct provider of social services in Northeast Illinois and Northwest Indiana. Throughout the area, there are about 200 points of entry to Salvation Army programs and services, helping people with nowhere else to turn, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The Army is widely recognized as one of the most effective and efficient organizations in the world. About 90 cents of every dollar donated to The Salvation Army goes directly to programs and services. The Chronicle of Philanthropy has called The Salvation Army the "Nation's Favorite Charity." To donate to The Salvation Army, call 1-800-SAL-ARMY or go to http://www.salarmychicago.org/.

Summary of Holiday Assistance Provided By The Salvation Army

Each year, The Salvation Army provides meals, groceries (including turkeys and hams), clothing, toys and other gifts to less fortunate individuals and families in the Chicago region during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. During last year's holiday season, The Salvation Army provided assistance to more than 89,000 people. The effort included:

-- 5,097 meals served at Thanksgiving and Christmas -- 12,372 bags of groceries distributed -- 33,485 items of clothing distributed -- 82,387 toys distributed through the Angel Tree program -- 104,435 gifts distributed -- More than 18,000 coats distributed

-- Assistance from 9,322 volunteers, who donated 38,481 hours of their time

CONTACT: Scott Alwin, +1-773-205-3573 (office), +1-773-552-8369 (cell),
or Maisha Pearson, +1-323-573-9430 (cell), both of the Salvation Army of
Chicago

Web Site: http://www.salarmychicago.org/