SHELBY, N.C. — The Salvation Army got a Black Friday surprise when they say an anonymous donor dropped a gold coin in one of their Red Kettles.

“I got a call on Friday morning saying a special gift had been dropped into a Red Kettle,” said Sergeant Les Ashby, corps officer for The Salvation Army of Shelby. “The caller instructed me to use the gift to help people and encourage others to give. We were thrilled when we opened the kettle and found a gold coin!”

Accompanying the 1915 Austrian 100 Corona gold piece was a note which read, “Thank you for sharing the true joy, love, and peace of Christmas with others throughout each year. It is my hope that this gift will encourage you, those you serve, and others who give generously.”

A volunteer from New Bethel Church was manning the Red Kettles Friday morning, and says he remembers helping someone push something thick into the kettle. 

“A person came to the kettle holding a thick object wrapped in a dollar bill. I helped push it into the kettle – it almost didn’t fit. I know now it was the gold coin,” says Mike Ledford. “I feel so good I was volunteering at that time. This money will go a long way in helping people.”

The Salvation Army says the famous Red Kettle campaign raises money to provide a Christmas for local families in need and safeguards the well-being of the community through year-round programming and social services.

There is no word yet on how much the coin may be worth.