Gold Nugget Delivered to The Salvation Army During Annual National Commander's Red Kettle
A Precious Gift: Gold Nugget Delivered to The Salvation Army During Annual National Commander's Red Kettle Challenge
A gold nugget that could be worth an estimated $50,000 brought some unexpected excitement to The Salvation Army of Southern Indiana's bell ringing team during the annual National Commander's Red Kettle Challenge on Saturday. The anonymous gift was delivered by a trusted "elf" so that it could be included in the kettle total for the team at the end of the four-hour challenge. Dozens of Salvation Army teams across the United States competed yesterday to win the annual challenge, but the generous gift may be just enough to put the New Albany team in the running for winning the competition in 2024.
The 15.5 ozt. (troy ounces) of gold in the nugget has a market value of $41,900, but its unique form and place of origin could bring a much higher price at auction.
"Nuggets of this size are inherently rare,” shared Craig Kissick, Vice President of Nature & Science for Heritage Auctions. “Due to their scarcity, examples such as this, and especially of this quality, can often be expected to achieve a premium in value well beyond the mere value of the gold content.” Kissick estimates this sizable nugget would likely bring in at least $50,000 and up at auction.
Captains Kory and Heidi Strand were ringing at the Red Kettle when the gold nugget was delivered. Their excitement was matched by the rest of their team, which included Salvation Army Advisory Board members and Major Thomas Louden, Chief Secretary for The Salvation Army Central Territory. The gift was revealed during The Salvation Army USA's Facebook livestream of the National Commander's Red Kettle Challenge, so viewers across the country joined in the excitement surrounding the unique gift. With a Christmas fundraising goal of $378,000, the valuable gift will help The Salvation Army of Southern Indiana get closer to funding its vital local programs and services in 2025.
Yesterday's National Commander's Red Kettle Challenge aimed to raise $2 million at select Red Kettles across the country in just four hours. Three Indiana teams competed, including The Salvation Army of Southern Indiana, which rang at a Kroger store located at 200 New Albany Plaza in New Albany. Results and the winning team will be announced in the coming weeks as totals come in from across the country.
Every donation given to The Salvation Army through the annual Red Kettle Campaign provides help and hope to those in need, and all gifts stay right here in the community where it is given. Visit SANewAlbany.org to learn more about how you can help ensure that The Salvation Army can continue to show Love Beyond Christmas in 2025.
Photos and b-roll of the gold nugget delivery can be found HERE.
Video from The Salvation Army USA's Facebook livestream event of the National Commander's Red Kettle Challenge, which included a visit to the New Albany bell ringing team when the nugget was delivered, can be found HERE. (New Albany jumps on the livestream at 1:56:57.)