Jewelry donations popular at Salvation Army kettles in Boston area

Boston area residents are giving more than change to the Salvation Army this holiday season.

A recent anonymous donation of silver dollars is the latest valuable gift the Salvation Army has received this holiday season during its annual Red Kettle campaign. This donation, made in Lowell, adds to the list of other donations in the area including Boston, Swampscott, Framingham and the North Shore.

On Dec. 8, an anonymous donor deposited a diamond ring into a kettle inside North Station in Boston.

In Swampscott, two donations were made at the same location outside of Stop & Shop on Paradise Road within the past week. A vintage ladies watch and emerald jewelry were dropped into the donationkettle. According to appraisal documents, the jewelry is worth more than $900. An unsigned handwritten note read,“Inspired by the story of the widow who donated her diamond ring last year…” The note continued to ask that the donation be used to help those struggling with addiction.

The Salvation Army reports other donations in Framingham, North Shore and East Boston that include an engagement ring set, a wedding band and multiple silver dollars from the late 1800s.

While the Salvation Army has seen a recent trend in unique contributions, Red Kettle donations are down about 14 percent compared to last year. The Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign hopes to reach its goal of $3.4 million to continue to help children, families, senior citizens, food pantries and social services across Massachusetts.

For more information about the Salvation Army of Massachusetts or to donate online, please visitwww.salvationarmyma.org.