Secret Santa drops $1,200 coin into Red Kettle in St. Clair Shores

The Salvation Army's Secret Santa has struck again! 

An anonymous donor has dropped a 1980 South African gold Krugerrand into The Salvation Army's red kettle located at the Kroger on the corner of Marter and Jefferson in St. Clair Shores. 

This is the fourth year in a row the gold coin, an estimated value of $1,200, was deposited into the same red kettle at the same location.

The coin donation comes at a time when the nonprofit’s iconic red kettles are reported being off pace to reach its 2016 Red Kettle campaign goal. Currently, The Salvation Army of Metro Detroit has raised $2.1 million of its $8.4 million goal. 

Red kettle donations fund Salvation Army programs and services across metro Detroit year 'round. 

The Krugerrand will help The Salvation Army provide more than just food and shelter.

The value of the coin will help The Salvation Army: 

• Provide a child with a warm winter coat

• Send a child to summer day camp through The Salvation Army Outdoors program

• Reconnect families through the Harbor Light's drug and rehabilitation/treatment program

• Protect and preserve families through the William Booth Legal Aid Clinic

• Helps a family become self-sufficient through the Pathway of Hope program

• Helps a child succeed academically through after-school programs

As the impending brutal winter storm makes its way to Detroit, The Salvation Army historically sees a decrease in the amount of red kettle donations because people are hunkered down in their warm homes. 

Supporters can make a tax-deductible donation without leaving the comfort of their home:

• By visiting www.salmich.org

• Texting SALMICH to 41444

• Calling 877-SAL-MICH

• Sending a check or money order, made payable to The Salvation Army, to: 16130 Northland Dr., Southfield, MI 48075