A retail sorter at Goodwill Easter Seals of the Gulf Coast (Mobile, AL) recently upheld the core values of Goodwill® when he found $1,100 in a donated suit, turned it in to the manager and was able to return the money to its owner.
Richard Willis, who has autism, has worked at the Racetrack Road store in Fort Walton Beach, FL, since 2005 after training through a partnership with Okaloosa County schools. He frequently gets excited when he finds dimes, quarters or other small finds in the donations that he sorts.
Willis is unfailingly honest and instead of keeping them for himself, he always brings these to his manager’s attention. This time, both Willis and the manager were surprised to see the 11 $100 bills in lieu of pocket change.
The agency recorded the money as a “donation” in case it was never claimed. But a local woman, Gail McLaughlin, called the store after she realized she had accidentally donated the black and white tweed suit a few weeks before that held her Christmas shopping secret stash in its pocket.
After calling, the situation was resolved and the manager mailed her a check for the money. She was incredibly impressed with Willis and plans to pay him a visit soon and bring a reward.
