CENTENNIAL, Colo. (AP) — Authorities say someone stole a red Salvation Army kettle from a grocery store parking lot in suburban Denver on Christmas Eve.
KMGH-TV (http://bit.ly/1Ol8MhT) reported Thursday that the bell ringer and several King Soopers customers chased after the thief but could not retrieve the kettle. No one was hurt, but bell ringer Phil Ray called the situation heart-wrenching.
It’s unclear how much money was in the kettle. Ray estimates the thief could have made off with as much as $1,000. Donations to the annual fundraising effort are used to help people in need. They help pay for things such as Christmas meals and toys.
Salvation Army Lt. Col. Daniel Starrett says donations to the campaign are down about $140,000 in metro Denver from last year.
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Information from: KMGH-TV, http://www.thedenverchannel.com
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