Gold coin left in
Salvation Army kettle

EVANSVILLE, Ind. (AP) - A gold coin worth about $800 dropped into a Salvation Army kettle in Evansville is giving the charity a boost in tough times.

Salvation Army commanding officer Harold Poff told the Evansville Courier & Press that the 1-ounce South African Krugerrand coin was dropped into a kettle outside an Evansville supermarket on Friday. It was discovered when donations were counted on Saturday.

Poff says finding the coin "lifts everybody's spirits."

As of Wednesday, the Salvation Army had raised a little less than $30,000 toward its goal of $210,000 during its annual holiday drive.

Poff says it's been several years since a Krugerrand was dropped in a Salvation Army kettle in the Evansville area.

Information from: Evansville Courier & Press, http://www.courierpress.com