HARBORCREEK — An anonymous donor has dropped a winning lottery ticket into a Salvation Army kettle.

The Erie Times-News said the donor tucked the ticket inside a wad of $1 bills outside a Wal-Mart in Harborcreek Township on Dec. 6. The Erie County Salvation Army said the donation is needed because the annual fundraiser is behind schedule.

Through Monday, the campaign had collected just under $80,000, which is more than $22,000 less than was collected by the same date last year. Last year’s $158,872 total was also the lowest collected since 2008. The charity is hoping to raise $190,000, so business administrator Bernie Myers said the donation “helps quite a bit.”

Pennsylvania Lottery officials said the winner was a Fantastic 10s instant ticket.