Imagine stumbling upon more than just comfort when you buy an old couch from a Salvation Army store. That’s exactly what happened to a group of college students who made an incredible discovery in their dorm room.
While enjoying a movie on their newly acquired couch, they noticed something unusual – crinkles in the built-in side pillows. Driven by curiosity, they decided to investigate further. To their astonishment, they found not one, but two hidden bubble wrap envelopes nestled in the couch cushions.
One of the students, Werkhoven, a Geology major, described the mixture of terror and excitement they felt, saying, “We tore them out and were completely terrified when we saw an inch and a half of $100 bills.” They quickly counted the cash, taking photos along the way, and to everyone’s disbelief, they had stumbled upon a whopping $41,000!
At first, the students couldn’t believe their incredible luck. They daydreamed about all the things they could do with the money, from buying a car for a friend’s mom to getting a boat. However, their joy quickly turned into moral uncertainty when they noticed a woman’s name on one of the envelopes.
The realization struck them that they hadn’t earned this money. The sense of entitlement vanished, and they knew they had to do the right thing. Guasti, a graduate of Mount Holyoke College, expressed their sentiment, saying, “Because we didn’t earn that money.”
The students’ parents supported them in their mission to find the rightful owner of the unexpected fortune. In order to prevent any potential theft, the parents advised their children to keep the secret treasure hidden from others.
After an extensive search conducted by Werkhoven’s mother, they finally found the woman’s contact information in a phone book. Werkhoven mustered up the courage to make the call, unsure of how she would react.
“I found a couch,” Werkhoven told her. In disbelief, she responded, “Oh my God, I left a lot of money in that couch.” The woman couldn’t believe her ears when Werkhoven added, “I found something that I think is yours.”
The elderly woman, who prefers to remain anonymous, shared with her newfound friends that her late husband had secretly given her the money to secure her future after his passing. With nowhere else to hide it, she carefully stashed her savings in the couch, a hiding place that served her well for thirty years.
Recently, the woman underwent back surgery and spent several months in a rehabilitation facility. Her doctors advised her children to replace the old couch to alleviate her back pain – a decision that led to its donation to the Salvation Army.
The students, despite the temptation, felt no remorse in returning the money to its rightful owner. In fact, they expressed a desire to treat the woman and her family to a dinner after their reunion.
Werkhoven offered his perspective, saying, “I think it’s just that anyone can do good if they will themselves to it.” Russo, one of the students, added, “I believe everything went as it should, and to be honest, I don’t really think about it that much.”
As a token of appreciation, the woman graciously shared $1,000 with the three students. It was a heartwarming ending to an incredible story of honesty and integrity.
This extraordinary tale serves as a reminder that doing what’s right, even in the face of temptation, can have a powerful impact. It’s a testament to the fact that anyone, regardless of their age or circumstances, can make a positive difference in the world simply by choosing to do good.
So the next time you encounter a moral dilemma, pause and ask yourself – would you act with the same integrity?
Please take a moment to SHARE this incredible story with your friends and family, inspiring kindness and honesty all around!
