Widow donates engagement ring, wedding band to buy toys for poor kids ... and that's only half the story

BOSTON (AP) — The Salvation Army in Boston says a former bell ringer has offered to pay $21,000 for two rings that a widow dropped into a red donation kettle in hopes they'd be sold to buy toys for poor children.

The charity says the anonymous buyer is also a widow. It says she doesn't plan to keep the jewelry. Instead, she wants to return the diamond engagement ring and wedding band to the woman who originally donated them.

Salvation Army Major David Davis said Monday the $21,000 will be use to provide toys to poor children for Christmas and services to others in need.

Davis says the organization received multiple offers for the rings after they were donated with a note asking them to be sold. The diamond ring was valued at $1,850.