Mark Reed with the Salvation Army rings his bell for donations at the Sam's Club in Butler, Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025. Reed has been bell ringing for 13 years. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle

Matthew Brown

The Salvation Army Butler Corps said a gold coin worth nearly $1,000 was dropped into one of its Red Kettles on Thursday, Dec. 18, at Sam’s Club in Butler.

The 1/10-ounce gold Krugerrand coin dropped into the bucket, and a $2,000 donation in marching funds offered Saturday, Dec. 13, propelled the Red Kettle Campaign ahead of where it was at the same time last year. As of Dec. 23, Red Kettle donations stood at $68,406.05, according to Charles DeJesus, the envoy in charge at the Butler Corps.

“The Salvation Army Butler Corps wishes to profoundly thank the anonymous gold coin donor for such selfless and sacrificial generosity, which will help local families with food, emergency assistance and youth programs for character and music in the months ahead,” DeJesus said.

The Butler Corps is still $20,000 short of reaching its $90,000 goal by Christmas. If unable to visit a kettle, it also offers a Virtual Red Kettle for donations at salarmy.us/butlerkettle through Dec. 31.