BOSTON, MASS. – The Salvation Army is conducting an online auction for more than 60 jewelry items donated during recent Massachusetts Red Kettle campaigns.
Proceeds from the auction will be put to use in Massachusetts communities where the items were donated to support local individuals and families in need. Everything But The House (EBTH), an online marketplace that specializes in estate sales and auctions of precious items – is hosting the auction.
Currently in progress, the online auction will run through Monday, November 21.
Individuals looking to view and bid on items can visit: salvationarmyma.org/auction or www.ebth.com.
“During the past two years, the outpouring of jewelry donations across Massachusetts has inspired all of us, and we’re excited to auction these precious items to raise funds to help those in need,” said Major Gregory Hartshorn, general secretary of the Massachusetts Salvation Army. “Donors have been incredibly generous and we hope they will use this opportunity to view and bid on these items. Funds raised will provide toys to children in need, coats and warm meals, and to support vital programs and services in local cities and towns.”
The trend of donating jewelry to Salvation Army Red Kettles in Massachusetts originated in 2014 when an anonymous widow placed her wedding and diamond engagement rings and note in a Red Kettle outside of Boston’s North Station. In her note, she asked that the rings be sold in hopes of to help children in need at Christmas.
The act of generosity went viral and touched off a spree of jewelry donations across Massachusetts. In a matter of weeks, Salvation Army officials received 15 different jewelry donations to Red Kettles, raising more than $30,000. In 2015, the trend continued, culminating in the donation of a Rolex watch and dozens of other precious jewelry items across the state.
A wide variety of jewelry pieces at many different appraised values are available to bid on. The Salvation Army has set a statewide Red Kettle Campaign goal of $3.5 million this year.
