Secret Santa leaves diamond ring for Salvation Army

Salvation Army believes same person has left gifts for 4 years

PINECREST, Fla. – The mysterious woman who has left gifts for the Salvation Army each Christmas for the last four years has done it again.

The Salvation Army knew where to find the gift because the Secret Santa called and told them.

"The voice is the same," said Maj. Linda Payton. "The person who answers the phones recognized it."

A diamond ring was inside the Salvation Army's collection kettle in front of the Publix in Pinecrest, along with a note.

The gift may be evidence into the mystery woman who has been a Secret Santa for the last four years.

"Somebody obviously who trusts us with her family heirlooms," Payton said. "As far as we can tell, these (gifts) all belong to the same family."

A few years ago there was another diamond ring. Last year, it was $100 bills and spiritual notes in the kettles in Pinecrest, Miami Shores, and Brickell.

"It's very humbling to know that somebody out there trusts us to do the most good we can with what she has given us," Payton said.


About the Author:

Glenna Milberg joined Local 10 News in September 1999 to report on South Florida's top stories and community issues. She also serves as co-host on Local 10's public affairs broadcast, "This Week in South Florida."