Alaska is a different kind of place, even where charity and the spirit of Christmas are concerned. For several years, in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley, someone has been dropping South African Krugerrands, worth about $2,000 each, into Salvation Army kettles here and there around the Valley. And they are doing so anonymously; no one knows from whom the gifts are coming.

It’s becoming quite the tradition, but one that remains shrouded in mystery. Maj. Kevin Bottjen, the officer for The Salvation Army Mat-Su Valley Corps, learned Dec. 9, that another Krugerrand had made its way into one of the organization’s red kettles.

This marks the seventh consecutive year the gold, 1 ounce coin made its way into the bottom of a kettle in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley. Bottjen said he was excited when he got the call from his colleague Janet Kincaid.

“She said ‘Kevin, we got another one!’ and I instantly knew what she was talking about,” Bottjen said.

A Krugerrand is a South African coin valued at about $2,000. Bottjen said they received two of them last year, meaning the donor - or donors - have given The Salvation Army about $16,000 in gold over the years.

Bottjen said he has no idea who is doing this, but he appreciates the anonymity.

“They’re doing it because they believe in what we’re doing, and that we can assist the Valley,” Bottjen said.

There's generosity, and there's generosity, and five figures in South African gold is generosity indeed. And someone has been reading the book of Matthew, specifically Matthew 6:1-4:

Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.  Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.

This selflessness, to my thinking, makes the gift more meaningful indeed, and this truly captures the spirit of Christmas. There is a person out there in our Alaska community who wishes to help the people and is as generous as they are anonymous. It's a far cry from the holiday posturing of politicians, or worse, the scum who use the season to run scams.

Christian or not, this time at year's end is the season for giving. The year is drawing to a close; it's time to take stock of where we were over the year, to enjoy a few quiet days to spend with family and friends, and, yes, to show our appreciation for people we care about with gifts. We give because the giving not only helps others but the giving makes us feel good, too. This generous, anonymous donor in the Mat-Su apparently cares a great deal about their Alaskan community and is putting their money where their heart is. It's almost enough to give one hope for mankind.

Somewhere out there in the Mat-Su is a person who understands the meaning of charity: Voluntary giving, without self-promotion, to help those who need help. That's a Christmas tale for the ages.