PRESS RELEASE
Update: Mystery $1,000 Donor Strikes 18th Time, Getting Braver
Roseville, Minn. – December 22, 2011 – It seems the closer to Christmas it gets, the more brazen Saint Grand becomes. The phantom philanthropist struck 10 more times yesterday, placing $1,000 donations into seven kettles at Rosedale Mall - practically next door to The Salvation Army headquarters in Roseville. The other three kettles were at Cub Foods and Walmart stores in Blaine, and Byerly's in Edina.
Since Nov. 29, Saint Grand has struck 18 times - 17 in the Twin Cities and once in International Falls (during an ice fishing trip or visiting relatives, presumably). Each instance has been the same: 10 $100 bills folded tightly together.
There's a fantastic chance that Saint Grand struck more than 10 times yesterday, as hundreds of yesterday's kettles have yet to be counted. As you're reading this, a dozen volunteers are at Garda Security counting yesterday's donations inside about 500 Twin Cities kettles. They found the 10 $1,000 bundles this morning, and won't finish counting until this afternoon.
If St. Grand strikes again, he or she is advised to do so today and tomorrow in the Twin Cities, where all donations are being doubled with up to $1 million worth of matching funds.
Twin Cities kettles have so far raised about $2.6 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.
