PRESS RELEASE
Update: Mystery $1,000 Donor Strikes in International Falls
Roseville, Minn. – December 21, 2011 – Saint Grand has struck again, this time all the way up in International Falls.
For the eighth time this kettle season, somebody has placed $1,000 cash into a kettle. Until yesterday, the first seven instances occurred in the Twin Cities metro area.
"Just letting you know someone put 10 $100 bills in our kettle at Super One grocery store!" Envoy Beverly Mayfield, leader of the International Falls Salvation Army, said in an email this morning. "I couldn't believe it. I have never seen that in any of our kettles."
Did Saint Grand strike in the far north to put us off his or her scent? Or was it a different person? Or has it been different people the entire time?
Whatever the explanation, this much is true: All eight of the donations included 10 $100 bills folded tightly together, with seven of the donations being crisp, uncirculated bills. The one bundle of previously circulated bills was found in a St. Francis kettle.
If St. Grand strikes again, he or she is advised to do so in the Twin Cities on Thursday or Friday, when all donations will be doubled with up to $1 million worth of matching funds.
So far, Twin Cities kettles have raised about $2.5 million. The last day of the kettle season is Saturday.
Overall, the Twin Cities Salvation Army has raised about $5 million of its $11.4 million Christmas Campaign goal.
The Twin Cities Salvation Army serves more than 288,000 people a year through its 25 local centers of operation. Daily it serves 2,500 hot meals and shelters 970 people. More than 33,000 local volunteers help The Salvation Army provide these and other services, from child daycare to senior housing. Click below to make an online donation.
