Anonymous Donors Slip Big Money Into Salvation Army Kettle

A check made out for $500,000 was dropped in a Salvation Army kettle over the weekend in Rosemount, Minn., a startling act of generosity that a couple said was their way of saying thank you.

The Salvation Army said the donation made Saturday at the Cub Foods on County Road 42, just east of Shannon Parkway, is the largest—many times over—that has ever been slipped into the charity’s signature red kettles in the Twin Cities area.

The previous record for a single kettle donation was $25,000. A little perspective: Typically, a kettle takes in about $30 an hour, according to the charity.