Salvation Army, Charity of the Day

What more appropriate charity to mention on Christmas day than the Salvation Army. No other organization is as associated with the holiday. It also seem like each year we hear of an act of touching generosity associated with the Salvation Army kettle. This year in Pensacola, Florida, a platinum coin estimated to be worth more than $1,000 was given to a bell ringer.The coin's face value is $100 but the appraisal value is said to be closer to $1,300. The coin is from 2006 and is stamped with an image of the Statue of Liberty. The Salvation Army also received at least eight gold coins in its kettles this year.

You don't have to throw gold coins in the kettle to make a difference. The Salvation Army works in communities to provide toys for children at Christmas, coats for the homeless, food for the hungry and a variety of social services.More than 83 cents of every dollar raised goes toward direct assistance to families in need in 5,000 communities across the country. And, as my mother taught me, donating money in the kettles during the holiday season helps bring you luck in the new year.