ZELIENOPLE — The community received another golden surprise this year.

This past weekend, another gold coin given by an anonymous donor was found in one of the donation jars for Friends of the Park. The $20 Liberty coin is dated 1898.

Since 2009, parks director Alecia Flood has been finding gold coins in donation jars. Donations are used to help buy fireworks for the annual Fourth of July celebration.

Like a classic video game, the coins have appeared at random, often advantageous, times.

“It is a complete surprise every year,” Flood said. “We don’t know when it’s coming, but it just appears, often at times when we’re at the point where we may or may not be able to make enough money (for the display).”

One coin is donated per year, and each year has been a different coin. A $20 Canadian one-ounce gold coin was sold in 2014 for $1,225.

A Krugerrand also was found in a donation jar in the past. Flood said the South African coin was estimated at $1,300 to $1,500.

“The price of gold changes every day,” Flood said.

The coins are cashed in each year to help pay for the fireworks.

Flood said efforts have been made to find out who has been donating the coins. However, the donor remains anonymous.

“I think about it, and I wonder if it’s typical, but when I least expect it there it is,” Flood said.

The fundraising goal for this year’s fireworks celebration is $7,500. Flood said the donations, including the most recent gold coin, total $6,000.

Flood said the annual display “wouldn’t be what it is every year” without the anonymous donor’s contributions.

“We would like to thank whoever it is,” she said.

Donations for the Fourth of July fireworks display can be made to: Friends of the Park, P.O. Box 402, Zelienople, PA 16063.

Jars are at WesBanco and Northwest Savings Bank in Zelienople.

The Fourth of July will feature a parade at 11 a.m. that concludes at the community park, which also will be the site of fireworks at dusk.

Those attending the festivities are advised to bring lawn chairs and blankets.