T-R PHOTO BY LANA BRADSTREAM — An anonymous donor dropped a 14K gold necklace with six diamonds in one of the Salvation Army of Marshalltown Red Kettles on Wednesday. The necklace came with 2018 appraisal documentation stating the worth was $5,460. The Salvation Army plans to get an updated appraisal before determining the best way to move forward in getting the most in its value.

The anonymous, unexpected donation in the Salvation Army of Marshalltown Red Kettle was not the traditional, hoped-for gold bar. It was still gold, but in a different form – a pendant necklace . . . and it came with six diamonds.

The 14K pendant was dropped in the Red Kettle manned by Envoy John Hofer on Wednesday at Hy-Vee. He does not know who made the donation, but it came with appraisal documentation, which stated the necklace was worth $5,460 in 2018. He has not gotten an updated appraisal yet.

“It’s not a gold bar, but if the value is as the appraisal would lead, it’s better than a gold bar,” Hofer said. “I don’t know the value of gold and diamonds, but there may be a higher appraisal.”

He said the next step is contacting the Salvation Army advisory board to determine the best course of action for the necklace. Hofer said there are a couple things they could do to get the most value, which will benefit the community.

“Take it to Hellberg and see what the price is,” he said. “The other is maybe holding it for a silent auction type event, maybe using it as a centerpiece for another event or function. We would need to find out what it’s worth and set a minimum price on it.”

Hofer said if members of the community have an opportunity to purchase the necklace that could inspire another donation.

“Maybe someone will know their donation to the Salvation Army will go back into the community,” he said. “That might entice someone to contribute, knowing someone in the Marshalltown area tentatively could be wearing it. It’s like a double-gift in a way.”

A couple weeks ago, the hope of receiving the gold bar was almost gone. Hofer believes the Dec. 14 article in the Times-Republican was the catalyst in bringing in the gold and diamond jewelry donation. In the article, he said the bar had not appeared, was not sure it would, but everyday there was anticipation of its sudden presence.

“I think the article kept the hope alive, and whoever the donor was sensed that, that it was more than a gift to the Salvation Army, but a gift to the community,” Hofer said.

The article also mentioned the day and time Hofer would be ringing the bell for the Red Kettle at Hy-Vee. During the 10-hour kettle shift, some community members asked if the gold bar had appeared, and said they hoped it would.

“One lady came because she saw it was in the paper and said she wanted to drop by, and she brought up a couple questions, so it was an opportunity for me to meet her and answer questions,” he said.

Hofer had a good feeling about his shift, even after the many hours on his feet. He worked at the Salvation Army in Davenport before moving into the envoy position in Marshalltown. Hofer said they would hear about such donations in other communities. Upon discovering the necklace, he said there was excitement.

“I knew there would be good news. I thank God for it,” Hofer said. “I was happy I was there. I was happy to meet people. I was happy to receive that.”

Not including the gold necklace, Hofer raised a humble $600 in donations.

“It was a day well spent, and [the necklace] is going to make the difference,” he said.

Hofer anticipates the holiday fundraising goal of $173,000 will be exceeded, especially with the necklace, and some mail donations still coming in. On Thursday, the Salvation Army of Marshalltown had raised $169,000, which did not yet include Wednesday’s total.

The Red Kettle campaign will continue through Saturday, and Hofer said they are still in need of volunteer bell ringers. He stressed the volunteers are critical to the Red Kettles.

“Ringers make the absolute difference,” Hofer said. “If there’s a kettle out there without a bell ringer, we might get $1.75 in change. If there’s a bell ringer without a kettle, no one is going to give the person any money, but when you put the kettle and bell together, that’s when the magic happens. It’s absolutely imperative a ringer is there.”

People can volunteer for kettle duty by visiting registertoring.com, and entering the Marshalltown zip code of 50158.

Contact Lana Bradstream at 641-753-6611 ext. 210 or lbradstream@timesrepublican.com.