Anonymous Donor Drops Diamond Ring Into Waltham Salvation Army Pot

WALTHAM, MA – It could've been a generous Watch City dweller, a mysterious out-of-towner, or St. Nick himself.

No one knows who anonymously dropped a diamond ring into the Salvation Army kettle outside of Market Basket in Waltham on Nov. 22, and the random do-gooder is remaining mum.

Salvation Army officials appraised the ring at $600-$700, which will go toward its programming and services for children, families and seniors in the Waltham area, the organization said. Four rings were also dropped off by a woman at a Walmart in Northbridge Monday evening.

"These latest donations make it clearer than ever that generosity is contagious here in Massachusetts," Maj. Gregory Hartshorn, General Secretary of The Massachusetts Salvation Army, said in a statement. "These heartwarming gifts embody the generosity we see during the holiday season and we’re grateful to all of the donors who continue to support the work of the Salvation Army."

The trend of dropping jewelry into Salvation Army kettles in Massachusetts began in 2014, when an anonymous widow placed her wedding and engagement rings and a note in a kettle at Boston's North Station. Her note asked that the rings be sold to help children in need at Christmas.

Her story went viral, prompting an influx of donations the following year; the organization estimates it raised more than $30,000 from 15 jewelry donations in 2015.

The most recent acts of generosity come after the Salvation Army raised $26,764 in a week-long online auction. All proceeds from the auction, as well as the kettle donations, will go toward supporting local individuals and families in need.

"What I think we are seeing is a marvelous gift that became a trend and has now become a Christmas tradition," Hartshorn said in a statement. "These important donations will be a critical source of funding for our Salvation Army corps offices as they provide coats and warm meals and deliver vital services to cities and towns across the Commonwealth."

Photos submitted by the Salvation Army