FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. _ While many holiday donors have hearts of gold, one mystery donor has coins of gold _ and once again the Salvation Army in South Florida is reaping the bounty.
The so-called "Coin Crusader" on Saturday dropped two gold 1947 Mexican 50-peso coins into a collection kettle outside a Wal-Mart in Pompano Beach, officials said.
The two coins, valued at $1,400 each, were wrapped inside a dollar bill, said Alyse Gossman, director of Development for Salvation Army of Broward County.
It is the third year in a row the gold coins have turned up at kettles in Pompano Beach.
Salvation Army workers last year discovered a total of five similar gold coins, donated at the same Wal-Mart and a Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market, also in Pompano Beach.
A similar discovery was made in 2014 at the Pompano Beach Wal-Mart.
Major Keath Biggers, area commander for The Salvation Army of Broward County, said it's always exciting when they're found.
"You never know if it's going to continue. It's sort of a Christmas gift," he said.
Biggers said the donations will be used to buy holiday presents for about 2,000 local children and will go toward services for others year-round.
"I'm always amazed by the wonderful outpouring of the gifts we receive in our red kettles," he said. "Every penny and dime adds up."
The kettles will be out every day except Sundays until Christmas Eve, Biggers said.
