HARBORCREEK, Pa. — The winning Pennsylvania Lottery ticket, worth $1,000, was slipped into the Salvation Army red kettle, tucked inside a wad of $1 bills.
No one knew it at the time.
The anonymous donation, made Dec. 6 outside the Walmart in Harborcreek Township, 5741 Buffalo Road, had the appearance of any other donation.
But the timing of the generous gift could not have been better for the Erie County Salvation Army, as the agency's kettle drive continues to struggle once again through a holiday season.
As of Monday, the 2016 campaign had collected $79,790, down more than $22,000 from the $102,280 collected at this time in 2015, officials said.
The local 2015 kettle drive collected $158,872, its lowest total since 2008.
The drive, which began Nov. 8 and ends Dec. 24, funds the agency's holiday and toy programs for thousands of low-income residents. Salvation Army officials set a goal of collecting $190,000 for the 2016 drive, the same goal as last year's campaign.
"We are so pleased, especially since we're so far behind. It helps quite a bit," Bernie Myers, business administrator for the local Salvation Army, said about the anonymous winning ticket.
The ticket was a winner for the Fantastic 10s instant game, according to Pennsylvania Lottery officials, who made the announcement Tuesday.
"We've received donations of winning instant tickets in the past, but they're usually in an amount of $10 or $20 — never something of this size," said Major Leslie Walter, officer of the local Salvation Army. "We are very grateful for this generous donation which will help us to serve people and families in need."
The local drive's struggles mirror the fundraising challenges being faced throughout the 28-county Western Pennsylvania Division of the Salvation Army, which includes Erie and Crawford counties.
The division is lagging 2015's totals by more than $300,000, with Allegheny County's Salvation Army reporting the largest decline at around $62,000, Myers said Tuesday.
Myers cited fewer volunteer bell ringers and snowy weather this past weekend as some of the reasons for why he thinks the Erie-area drive has declined this year. Volunteers and their kettles are located at 22 sites across Erie County.
Thanks to truesee for the tip.
Very generous of that person. Hopefully they didn't forget about the ticket tucked in the wad of cash.
Awesome!
They do great work!
Happy news for WalMart & The Salvation Army. HO HO HO!!!
I like stories like this. Nice to know there are still good people out there.
Great story
A wonderful story of pro-active charity contribution and not just a happenstance 'dropped' in the box
Counselor, Caroline Casey, offers an apt metaphor to illustrate how crucial it is for us to hear and read good biblical stories. She notes that if we don't have enough of the normal, healthy kind of iodine in our bodies, we absorb radioactive iodine, which has entered the food chain through nuclear test explosions conducted in the atmosphere. Similarly, unless we fill ourselves up with stories that invigorate us, we're more susceptible to sopping up the poisonous, degenerative narratives.
Hope we see more to come >>>>>
Eddessa_Knight with Light
GREAT STORY!!
Certainly a nice gesture or do you think it was a mistake? A winning ticket wrapped inside a bunch of one dollar bills sounds like an undue error to me. I am glad that the Salvation Army was the benefactor.
The Salvation Army is one of the best charities out there to give to based on their organization and the amount of help and funds that go to the people who really need it.
Some of the other charities out there, some well known names, are scams and I would never donate to them as the amount of funds that actually go to something good is small and they waste money on elaborate fancy buildings and also suing others for idiotic things like using the word "cure" in their causes.
What are the odds of finding a $1,000 lottery ticket in a Salvation Army kettle? Is it better than hitting the Power Ball jackpot?
I bet that brave bell ringer/greeter was so happy that their kettle received that lovely $1000 donation! Ho,Ho,Ho!
Now each of these divisions needs a $10,000 winning lottery ticket dropped in!
This might get real interesting. Some years back, as the story goes, a jackpot winner tried to give the Salvation Army $1M but they wouldn't take it as the money had come from gambling.
Also, the bell ringer gets 33% of the kettle.
Just saw the news video, I guess the SA is keeping this one and glad to have it.
Can't help but wonder if they will be taxed.
The Salvation Army Is a Non-Profit organization isn't It? So they'll not be taxed.
I say they wrapped the $1K Winning ticket in the ones so not even the Bell Ringer would Notice It, Is that true the bell Ringer's get 33% of there Kettle? If so That's screwed up, All the Yrs I made Good $$, on the rare occasion I didn't have $$ on the way In the Store always got Cash back so I could put It In the Kettle on the way out and Thanked them for being there<
If I had a way to get my wheelchair to the Stores I'd do It for FREE even though I could really use the Money myself, they have helped us out 3 times In the past 6 yrs, It's Hard when you have to go ask them for help, you get their an they have no Food not even Bread to give, That's why I really Wish I could WIN BIG, SA Is at the top of my List for Charitable Donations to make sure they never run out of Food again!
The person probably did not want to bother with taxes on a $1,000 winning ticket so he dropped it in the kettle. He probably got a feel good moment out of it so all is not lost.
Ouch that hurts!
cbr$,
Maybe the 33% was just a way to recruit some people (this was Las Vegas in the 1980s).
A full time SA person (not bell ringers) told me they got $219 a month and a new pair of shoes every so often.
I guess the SA is hurting this year or just got a little more aggressive - our local grocery stores have SA slips at the checkout with a bar code on them tp donate at the register.
Well Indiana still holds the record last time I checked with most Powerball jackpots! On one of the morning talk shows it said the most Googled thing in 2016 was POWERBALL!!
There's still no guarantee the person knew what they were doing. This had to been a mistake. I've heard stories of people Accidentally giving away a scratch off ticket worth thousands, and sued to get their share
But like has been said, "a fool and his winning lottery ticket are quickly departed"
Personally, I think the person who dropped the scratcher in the kettle could have been someone the SA had helped at one time and was just giving back. Or maybe it was just someone being generous in this season of giving.
Here's everything you need to know about being a bell ringer.
Become a Paid Bell Ringer
The Salvation Army, Midland Division
Bell-Ringer Job Description/Orientation
Apply in person between the hours of 10am & 3:30pm Mon-Fri at
1114 Stanley Blvd. | Branson, MO 65616 | Office PH: 417-339-4434
Date: 9/14/04 Revised: SA approved 9/15/05, 9.1.06, 9.13.07, 9.8.08, 9.3.09, 9.14.10 & 8.24.12
Facility/Corps: Branson, MO Coprs Community Center
Position Title: Bellringer
Supervisor: Corps Officer, Administrator, or Bellringer Coordinator
Position Type: Volunteer or nonexempt/hourly temporary position which is ineligible for benefits.
Work Dates: Starts November 1st , 2013 and ends December 24th, 2013
Hours: As needed; not to exceed 40 hours per week. No overtime allowed without supervisor permission.
Pay: Volunteers are not paid. Hired bellringer minimum pay will be $7.25 per hour in MO and $8.25 in IL.
GENERAL: As a bellringer, you are a very important seasonal fund raiser for The Salvation Army. You personally have a part in feeding thousands of homeless people, providing toys to children, or restoring heat in the home of a neighbor whose social security check doesn’t stretch far enough. Specifically, money you raise during the holiday season will be used to offer seasonal care such as Christmas food and toy baskets, or a gift for residents of elderly care facilities. Donations will also help us provide other services year round, such as emergency shelter, food for families and singles, and other material and financial assistance. We share this with you so you will be able to answer questions if shoppers ask how donations will be used.
APPEARANCE, ATTITUDE, & APPEAL ARE ESSENTIAL ASPECTS OF BELLRINGING.
Essential Duties (Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform this job description.):
1. Bellringers are to be polite and jovial. No sad sacks please! Be on the lookout for people to greet. You must greet everyone you see. Smile & greet them coming and going. Make eye contact. Ring the bell constantly and open doors where locations allow.
2. All donors should receive a greeting, e.g., merry Christmas, God bless you, have a great day, thank you, etc.
3. It is preferred that bellringers stand within an arms reach of the kettle. Please do not sit, slouch, or lean while working. A doctor’s certificate must be submitted to support any request for reasonable accommodation to permit sitting while performing duties as a bellringer.
4. Position the kettle so that you are not in the way of shoppers, and so that shoppers do not have to go out of their way to donate. Avoid getting between the shopper and the kettle.
General Requirements:
5. Do not ask for donations. No arguing with shoppers, cursing, suggestive or profane language or actions.
6. Bellringers will not handle money! Donors will put the money directly in the kettle. No monies are to be kept in pockets. Bellringers may not accept cash tips.
7. No visitors (friends, relatives, etc.) while working the kettle. You should not receive personal phone calls while working the kettle.
8. The use of personal cell phones during work is discouraged. Any personal calls should be made during designated breaks.
9. No alcohol, drugs, or smoking is permitted while tending the kettle! You will not be allowed to start work if you appear to be using or are impaired by alcohol or any other drug.
10. Do not shop while on duty. Headphones are not allowed.
11. Dress warmly & neatly. If provided, wear the “bellringer badge/name tag/apron” for ID purposes.
Page 6.A
Attendance, Breaks & Paid Time Procedures: Be on time! Bellringers must report five minutes early. If you are going to be late or cannot work your scheduled shift or location, call the bellringer coordinator or Corps Officer ASAP before your scheduled time. If you must leave your work site for any reason, other than going on break or lunch, call the bellringer coordinator or Corps Officers. It is suggested that the bellringers take one five minute break per hour which should allow ample time to use the restroom. Lunch break will be a 30 minute break, off the clock, and can only be taken if the employee works more than four hours. Consideration of more breaks will be given when the weather is extremely cold. Time worked will be paid at the state minimum pay rate. Paid time begins and ends at the scheduled time or when you actually start or end working whichever is less. You may report directly to an assigned kettle location. If you have an assigned location and elect to report to the Corps for a free ride to the location, the time riding to and from the location will be unpaid. If you do not have an assigned location and report to the Corps, time riding to and from the kettle location will be paid.
Work Environment: Store managers do not want bells to be rung in their stores because it bothers their employees and customers. Ringing the bell is an essential function of this position. Thus, normally bell ringers will perform their duties outside the store entrance, normally in a non-environmentally controlled (not heated) area--so dress warmly! It is preferred that bellringers do not sit, slouch, or lean while working.
Unemployment Insurance: “The Salvation Army, as a church, is EXEMPT from participating in the Federal and State Unemployment program in most states. As an employee of The Salvation Army, Central Territory (includes states of MO & IL), you are not entitled to unemployment compensation.” (Illinois employees should refer to our Employment Security account number, 4038693.)
Local/State/Federal Assistance: If you are receiving assistance from one of these agencies, it may be interrupted if you are hired as a bellringer.
The Salvation Army Mission Statement: The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.
Realizing The Salvation Army is a member of the Christian church, employees are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and project a positive image to others consistent with the above mission statement. This includes appearance as well as verbal communications and other behaviors. It should be clearly understood that nothing less will be accepted.
This is an as needed temporary position which does not receive benefits. Normal work hours will be determined with supervisor – Corps Officer (e.g., 10 AM to 7 PM Tuesday through Saturday); however, occasional extended hours and other workdays may be required.
This job description should not be considered to imply that the above listed requirements are the exclusive standards of the position. Employee will follow any other instructions, and perform any other related duties, as may be required by his/her supervisor.
If employed, I acknowledge that my employment with The Salvation Army is at-will and may be terminated by me or The Army at any time, with or without cause, and with or without prior notice. I have read and understand that if I do not comply with this job description, I may be removed from the work schedule without notice. I understand this job description is not a contract, express or implied, between me and The Salvation Army. I further understand and agree that when my employment is terminated, I must return all Salvation Army property in my custody before I am entitled to final payment of any amount due to me on separation.
SA would not have been my first choice of charity organizations.
I am glad to see that the money may go to some good use.
haha that guy is funny and bless him too, probably donated whatever that wad of one's was was all it cost him and said feel better that the Salvation Army put it to good use and for better and all it cost me was a wad of ones! Bravo!