The ring of the red kettle bells is over, but fundraising is not.
Sheena Loudner, office manager for Salvation Army in Mitchell, said the local organization didn't make its goal of $35,000 during the annual Salvation Army Red Kettle drive, which ended Christmas Eve. Loudner didn't have exact numbers, but suspected the drive was several thousand dollars short.
"Our Christmas goal makes up the majority of our budget," Loudner said. "We've got some climbing to do."
She said if the Salvation Army doesn't make its goal, it could force the organization to cut assistance and programs for the community.
The overall Christmas campaign goal is $141,500, and Loudner said the organization is still $54,532.33 short of that goal. Loudner said the Red Kettle drive is a part of the overall campaign, so the $141,500 figure includes the $35,000 kettle drive goal. The overall campaign lasts until Jan. 31.
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She said about $6,000 came in on Christmas Eve -- $5,000 of that came from one check, found in a kettle by County Fair Foodstore.
On Dec. 19, Loudner said someone dropped an American buffalo coin into the kettle at County Fair, which is 1 ounce of gold. Based on the current price of gold, Loudner believes the coin is worth about $1,200.
In previous years, Loudner said someone has dropped a krugerrand, a South African gold coin, into one of the kettles. It's the first time she remembers getting a buffalo coin.
Earlier this month, someone dropped a $10 bill with a note and a 14-karat gold, half-carat diamond ring into one of the kettles in Mitchell. Loudner took the ring to Woelfel's Jewelers in downtown Mitchell. She said the ring was worth about $1,200 when it was bought.
Loudner accepted bids on the diamond ring, and said Friday it sold for $800. She plans to get bids on the coin, similar to how she has sold other coins and the diamond ring. She plans to start the bidding at $1,200, but hopes it will bring more than that.
"In previous years, we've always gotten a lot more than that," Loudner said.
If people would like to bid on the coin, Loudner said they can call the Salvation Army at 996-3964; mail a check to P.O. Box 985, Mitchell, S.D., 57301; or visit the office at 724 N. Sanborn Boulevard. She said credit or debit card donations are accepted.
