'Tis the season

From USAToday:

Gold teeth donated to Salvation Army kettle

YORK, Pa. (AP) — The Salvation Army is starting to get used to golden rings appearing in its red kettles. But gold teeth?

A worker tallying collections Thursday found a pair of golden molars in a plastic bag inside a kettle, said Maj. Darren Mudge of the non-profit organization in York County.

"I have no clue what we are going to do with them," Mudge said. "It's a wonderful gesture, I guess."

Less than two weeks ago, Salvation Army workers wondered if three golden rings placed in two kettles were generous donations or lost items.

Mudge joked at the time that workers would keep checking for two more rings, four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree.

Then, two more golden rings appeared. Followed by 13 more. That's an unprecedented 18 so far this year.

"I think people have picked up on it, and now it's a trend," Mudge said.

In Lancaster County, the Salvation Army has received five or six golden rings this year, Maj. Timothy Lyle said.

Lyle said the Lancaster County agency hasn't received teeth this year but has in years past. Gold dental parts are not as valuable as coins and rings, he said, but can still be exchanged for money.