A woman in Boston contacted the Salvation Army, saying she wanted to donate a piece of jewelry but was worried it was too big to slip through the opening of the charity's trademark red kettle. So, a rep from the Salvation Army met the woman in person and accepted her brooch. She also handed over a 1998 receipt in the amount of $4,680.
"A friend had given it to her and he had passed on, so she wanted to donate it in his honor," Forster told InsideEdition.com Monday. She was inspired by a generous widow who gave jewelry before her.
It began in 2014, when a Boston widow carefully wrapped her engagement and wedding rings in paper, along with "a very sweet note," and dropped them in one of the Salvation Army's ubiquitous scarlet buckets, Forster said.
"I've dropped my wedding ring in your red kettle knowing that the money from its sale will buy toys for needy children. In all seasons, my husband was a giver," the widow wrote.
"I especially remember his joy in giving at Christmastime, especially to those in need.To honor his memory, I donate this ring. I'm hoping there's someone out there who made lots of money this year and will buy the ring for ten times its worth," she wrote.
Days later, a former bell-ringer came forward and offered $21,000 for the set.