The Salvation Army kettle campaign relies on the generosity of passersby to donate whatever they can spare -- $5, $10, $50. But as certain anonymous donors have demonstrated, most of us could probably spare more than we typically give.
According to Reuters, a diamond and sapphire ring, worth $2,000 U.S., was dropped into a Salvation Army kettle in a Miami suburb, along with a note saying: "They need more than I. Do good! A Friend."
The ring was tucked inside a $50 U.S. bill.
Reuters says the charity has also received other valuable donations in its kettles in recent weeks, beyond cash and cheques. Another anonymous donor dropped a 3/4-carat diamond ring, also valued at $2,000, in a kettle outside a Walmart store in a suburb of Kansas City earlier this month.
And according to The Salvation Army web site, a gold coin, worth about $1,700, was slipped into a kettle in Brooks, Alta., early this month. The coin was wrapped inside a $5 bill, with a note explaining its value. The web site says donations that are dropped into The Salvation Army's kettles stay within the community.
What is the most you've donated to charity?