Diamond Ring Donated to New Bedford Salvation Army

You've heard stories from New York and Boston of people intentionally dropping valuable jewelry and rare coins into the Salvation Army's red kettles. Now, it's happened in New Bedford.

Major Gil Parkhurst says a diamond ring was donated over the weekend at the Stop & Shop on Dartmouth Street. "One of my bell ringers called me and said 'Major, I'm coming up with my bucket right now. A woman dropped a diamond ring."

Parkhurst said his first instinct was the ring accidentally got lost inside the kettle. "So I thought at first maybe it fell off her finger when she was putting money in."

But the donation was sincere, and the woman asked to remain anonymous.

Major Parkhurst says the ring was appraised at between $400-$500.

Parkhurst says this is the first time in his 22 years of service to the New Bedford Salvation Army someone has made such a donation.