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Salvation Army Holds Auction For Jewelry Left In Red Kettles

BOSTON (AP) — Over the last two years, generous donors have left much more than just loose change in the Salvation Army's red kettles.

More than 60 pieces of jewelry have been placed in kettles around Massachusetts.

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(Photo credit: PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP/Getty Images)

On Tuesday, the Salvation Army kicked off an online auction of the jewelry to raise money for the communities where the items were donated.

Proceeds from the auction will be used to provide toys, coats and warm meals to people in need.

The trend of donating jewelry to Salvation Army red kettles in the state began in 2014 when an anonymous widow placed her wedding and diamond engagement rings in a kettle outside of Boston's North Station.

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A diamond cross donated to the Salvation Army in Dec. 2014. (Photo credit Salvation Army Boston)

In her note, she asked that the rings be sold to help needy children at Christmas.

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