NEWSPAPERS n o i t i d E l a i c e Sp
DECEMBER 25, 2024 candgnews.com
Macomb County and Grosse Pointe papers
ABOVE: A final gold Krugerrand was dropped into one of the Salvation Army’s red kettles at a Kroger near the intersection of Marter Road and Jefferson Avenue on Dec. 2. Photo provided by Galina Roehl
LEFT: From left, Warren Woods Christian School students Fisher McLeigh, 12, and Leo Duncan, 9, volunteer as bell ringers to bring in donations for the Salvation Army at the Kroger near the intersection of 13 Mile and Schoenherr roads. Photo by Patricia O’Blenes
GOLD COIN GETS DROPPED IN RED KETTLE ONE LAST TIME BY NICK POWERS npowers@candgnews.com
METRO DETROIT — Lots of coins get dropped in the Salvation Army’s red kettles, but for 12 years one donation has stood out. On Dec. 2, a mysterious deep-pocketed donor dropped off a final gold Krugerrand coin at a Kroger in St. Clair Shores. This year’s coin came with a note: “Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night! I am sorry to say — this is my last (Krugerrand). Hoping there are others who have (Krugerrands) that can help keep up this tradition in the future to help so many in need during the holidays. God Bless!” The donor’s identity has been kept secret throughout the years. The coin has been dropped at the Kroger near the intersection of Marter Road and Jefferson Avenue each year. According to Monex last week, the value of the coin is $2,642. Last
Jo Addington poses with Sandy the cat who sits atop one of the cat carriers she made. Photo by Patricia O’Blenes
LOCAL WOMAN HELPS STRAY CATS IN NEED
year’s coin was valued at $2,031 when it was donated. “(It was) very generous that someone was able to do that every year,” said Salvation Army Maj. Charlotte Hall, who oversees the organization’s Great Lakes Division. When a coin is received by the organization, it is cashed in, and funds are distributed back to the unit that received the coin, according to Hall. Hall said she has been stationed at Salvation Army locations throughout the country during her career and has seen gold Krugerrands donated. “It’s amazing,” Hall said. “I was in Aurora, Illinois, and we had one donated while I was there.” The donation came a day before Giving Tuesday, when all statewide donations to the Salvation Army Great Lakes Division, up to $25,000, were doubled. This match also comes from an anonymous donor, according to a press release.
HARRISON TOWNSHIP — A love for animals and inspiration from friends got this Harrison Township resident into making cat carriers to keep stray cats warm during the winter. Jo Addington learned how to make the carriers around 10 years ago. “A lot of them (cats) don’t have shelters,” Jo said. “They’re out in the cold. People dump them, leave them and they have nowhere to go all winter.”
See COIN on page 10A
See CATS on page 8A
BY ALYSSA OCHSS aochss@candgnews.com