Memorial jeweler purchases gold coin donated to Salvation Army

A Memorial-area gold dealer helped the Salvation Army double its money on an extraordinary gift this week.

Houston Gold in Memorial purchased the Salvation Army Greater Houston Area Command's "First Gold Coin of the Christmas Season" for double its value.

Houston Gold purchased the gold coin, valued at $1,500, for $3,000 and presented Captain Roman Leal, Salvation Army officer in charge of the Red Kettle location where the Gold Coin was found, with an oversized check.

Captain Leal, in turn, delivered the "First Gold Coin of the Christmas Season" to Houston Gold.

The coin was donated at a Red Kettle site located at 5310 S. Rice Ave.

Proceeds from the purchase of this gold coin will benefit the Salvation Army Greater Houston Area Command's overall Christmas efforts.

The Red Kettle Campaign, the oldest annual charitable fundraiser of its kind in the United States, helps raise money for those in need, providing toys for kids, coats for the homeless, food for the hungry and other social service programs year-round.