Chew on this: Gold tooth left in Arizona Salvation Army Red Kettle

PHOENIX – A Salvation Army thrift store in western Arizona recently received an unusual but welcome donation: a gold tooth.

Quartzsite store manager Lee-Ann Henle discovered the precious molar, estimated to be worth about $300, in a countertop donation kettle Friday.

“In the past, Red Kettles across the country have received gold coins, valuable jewelry and checks of large dollar amounts, but this gold tooth is right up there on the list of unusual donations,” Lt. Colonel Ivan Wild, Southwest Division commander for The Salvation Army, said in a press release Tuesday.

The nugget-like gift might actually be appropriate in Quartzsite, which is 18 miles from the Arizona-California border, because the town bills itself as the “Rock Capital of the World.”

“We have no idea who left us this generous and clever gift, but we are most grateful,” Henle said in the release.

“What a fun and blessed way to kick off the holiday season.”

The Salvation Army is aiming to raise $2.5 million in Arizona and $175 million nationwide in this year’s Red Kettle Campaign, the charitable organization’s largest annual fundraiser.

Information about local volunteer opportunities, including as a Red Kettle bell-ringer, can be found at The Salvation Army Southwest Division website.

Related

Variety of Arizona groups that combat homelessness get over $40M in fundingStacey Abrams' group wipes out medical debts for thousands in Arizona, 4 other statesInvestigation underway after 2 people were found dead inside Phoenix apartmentOut-of-state fugitive arrested after fatal stabbing in PhoenixPeoria Unified adds new hotline for students to report questionable behaviorArizona governor hopeful Andy Biggs says more funding doesn’t mean better schools