It’s a holiday tradition in Tulsa.
The Salvation Army has received eight special gold coins in its red kettles over the past week and a half.
Three are the South African gold coins called Krugerrands, four are U.S. gold $20 pieces. Altogether, those coins are valued at $6,885.
All four $20 coins were found Dec. 14 from kettles at Reasor's at 71st and Sheridan, Reasor's at 41st and Yale, Mardel's at 51st and Harvard, and JC Penney at Promenade Mall.
The Krugerrands were found Dec. 6 and 9 at the 71st and Sheridan Reasor's, and Dec. 10 at Sam's Club at 71st and Mingo.
The eighth gold coin was found in a kettle at a Bixby Reasor's this morning. It hasn't been identified or appraised.
Salvation Army Area Commander Ken Chapman said the kettle campaign still has a long way to go.
"We have 32 days of ringing in the season. We had a goal of $800,000 to try to meet our budgetary needs, and with only nine days left, we are just crossing the halfway mark at $400,000," Chapman said.
Chapman said part of the problem is many people just don’t carry cash anymore.
"Technology has hurt us, but we're going to get on that bandwagon," Chapman said. "We have some dip jars, giving jars, around town where you can dip your [credit] card in walk out, but people don't understand it yet. They're still trying to drop coins in it."
The Salvation Army begins distributing its Angel Tree gifts tomorrow, and the shelter could get crowded during the frigid weekend.
"Regardless of what happens with our budget, we will not cut our services. We will find a way to continue to serve Tulsa," Chapman said.
The Salvation Army has three days left where a local will match kettle donations up to $5,000. Those days are today, tomorrow and Thursday.
