Missouri Salvation Army Kettle Gets Anonymous Diamond Ring Donation

— -- An anonymous person dropped a diamond ring in a Salvation Army kettle in Missouri this week, and this time it was on purpose.

After a handful of mistakenly dropped jewelry in the metal kettles, Salvation Army Capt. Karen Holness figured this diamond ring was an intended donation because it had an appraisal letter with the words "for the feast of Stephen" written on the back. Today is St. Stephen's Day, or the Feast of St. Stephen, commemorating Saint Stephen.

“We count it as a blessing — especially since our kettles are down 50 percent of our goal,” Holness told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch on Wednesday.

The gold, 1/2 karat diamond ring was dropped in a Salvation Army Kettle at the Dierbergs grocery store in Florissant, Missouri, on Tuesday.

“We are truly thankful to the anonymous donor who graciously dropped this beautiful ring into the kettle,” Holness said. “It is truly encouraging to know someone out there would see something of their past go toward a new beginning or second chance for someone in need.”