MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - The city's annual mystery donor has struck again.
For the 25th straight year, an anonymous donor has given at least $1,000 to the Salvation Army in Morgantown. This year the anonymous donor upped his gift to $1,501.
The donor's currency varies from gold coins to bills that are no longer minted
Capt. Ed Long, who oversees the Salvation Army in Monongalia, Marion and Preston counties, appeared as requested shortly after 3 p.m. Friday at the Giant Eagle kettle. There he found the prize - a $1,000 bill and a $500 bill folded inside a $1 bill in the traditional red kettle.
"Oh, my gosh!" exclaimed bell ringer Alice Hoalcraft. All bell ringers are aware of the special Christmas gift, but there's been no pattern to where it appears.
"I couldn't believe it," she said later. "I don't know who it is."
The donor's ritual hasn't changed much since 1978: He places the donation in a randomly selected kettle, then makes an anonymous telephone call to the Salvation Office directing officials to that kettle.
The donation is always made between Dec. 20 and Christmas.
One year, he left an $10 gold piece from 1881. On another occasion, he wrapped two $500 bills from 1834 in a $1 bill.
For the 25th straight year, an anonymous donor has given at least $1,000 to the Salvation Army in Morgantown. This year the anonymous donor upped his gift to $1,501.
The donor's currency varies from gold coins to bills that are no longer minted
Capt. Ed Long, who oversees the Salvation Army in Monongalia, Marion and Preston counties, appeared as requested shortly after 3 p.m. Friday at the Giant Eagle kettle. There he found the prize - a $1,000 bill and a $500 bill folded inside a $1 bill in the traditional red kettle.
"Oh, my gosh!" exclaimed bell ringer Alice Hoalcraft. All bell ringers are aware of the special Christmas gift, but there's been no pattern to where it appears.
"I couldn't believe it," she said later. "I don't know who it is."
The donor's ritual hasn't changed much since 1978: He places the donation in a randomly selected kettle, then makes an anonymous telephone call to the Salvation Office directing officials to that kettle.
The donation is always made between Dec. 20 and Christmas.
One year, he left an $10 gold piece from 1881. On another occasion, he wrapped two $500 bills from 1834 in a $1 bill.