Goodwill Manasota Employee Finds Stacks Of Cash In Donated Goods

MANATEE COUNTY, FL -- There have been numerous stories in recent years about unusual items donated to thrift stores. Last year at a Manatee County Goodwill Bargain Barn, a toy that looked like a grenade launcher was donated, spurring local law enforcement to come and remove it. That story made national news.

Goodwills across the nation have reported strange donations including false teeth, artificial limbs and even human remains in a decorative urn. Just last week, The Pines resale shop was the recipient of a bin with five pounds of marijuana. But what do you think might happen when an employee finds stacks and stacks of cash? Do we have a story for you!

Recently, Goodwill's White Glove Service - which helps people who need a home emptied due to moving, downsizing or a loss in the family - was called by a local law office after a client passed away. His landlord had emptied the contents of his home into a storage unit in Sarasota and the White Glove team was asked to come pick everything up. Items included furniture, rugs and numerous boxes that were full of various possessions.

The goods were dropped off at Goodwill's Honore location and the team began to unpack and sort the items. One team member, Demetrius "Mimi" Williams (who has worked for Goodwill for 3 1/2 years), found a medicine box. When she opened the box, she discovered bank envelopes stuffed with stacks of cash - primarily hundred-dollar bills but also some 50s and 20s. She immediately went to the store manager, Dawn Tate, with the find. After counting, the cash totaled $12,270. They placed the cash into the store safe and called the organization's vice president of operations, Donn Githens.

After some investigating, the team traced the items back through the White Glove Service to the law firm in charge of the estate. The money has been returned.

Dawn and Mimi got quite a charge out of the experience; both emphasize that the core values of Goodwill - such as the empowerment to make the right decisions and integrity - make it a pretty sure bet that in situations like these, every effort will be made to return unintended donations of valuables.

Goodwill's White Glove Service – which includes the packing and removal of items – is free and assures those who use it that their possessions will be treated with respect. It also has the added benefit of supporting Goodwill’s mission of changing lives through the power of work, as donated items are sold in Goodwill retail stores.

For more about Goodwill, click here or call (941) 355-2721.

Photos:

Goodwill Manasota team member Demetrius "Mimi" Williams found the cash among donated items.

The cash was found in the Goodwill Honore Store.

About Goodwill Manasota
Goodwill Manasota is an industry-leading, 501(c)(3), not-for-profit organization that changes lives through the power of work. With the sales of donated goods and philanthropic donations, Goodwill is able to assist people with disabilities and other barriers to employment by providing job skills training and employment opportunities. In 2017, Goodwill Manasota served 11,672 people, placed 555 people in jobs, assisted 360 veterans as they reintegrated back into the civilian workforce, and provided 19,540 hours of on-the-clock training for its employees. Goodwill Manasota’s economic impact back to the community is worth $92.1 million. Goodwill is one of the pioneers of the reduce-reuse-recycle movement and this past year diverted more than 41 million pounds out of the landfill. Goodwill Manasota is accountable to a local Board of Directors. Goodwill Manasota, in essence, belongs to this community and is not owned by any individual or company. For more information, visit www.experiencegoodwill.org.