Goodwill by job, a good man by nature.
What would you do if you found $43,000 in a piece of furniture you purchased from a thrift store?
It happened to one Michigan man who found an astonishing $43,000 hidden inside the couch and decided to do the right thing to return all the cash and handed it all back to its rightful owner.
Howard Kirby said he bought the couch from the Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Owosso in December and used it in his man cave for a few weeks when he made a startling discovery. Thousands of dollars in cash were stashed on the couch.
“I still have to pinch myself to make sure I’m not dreaming or something,” he said.
A few weeks before Kirby said he noticed that it was uncomfortable that the foot cushion was unusually firm, then he decided to investigate why his daughter decided to open it up.
“That’s when she started pulling out this,” Kirby said.
Kirby was stunned to stumble across the cash stuffed inside the couch, a total of $43,170 was found in the ottoman cushion.
Kerby said he didn’t feel right keeping the money, even a lawyer told him he would be within his rights to keep the cash, he decided to reach out to the store to find out who had donated the couch.
The money was presented Thursday to Kim Fauth-Newberry, whose recently deceased grandfather was the original owner of the furniture. She said her family had no idea he had such a large amount of cash stashed away.
“It’s just crazy,” Fauth-Newberry said.
Fauth-Newberry said the story almost had a very different ending — her family had considered burning the couch if they couldn’t find a thrift store to accept it.
Rick Merling, the ReStore manager, thinks is heartwarming.
“To me, this is someone that despite what they’re going through – and in spite of their own needs – says ‘I’m just going to do the right thing,’” Merling said.
Kirby said he could’ve used the money – he needs a new roof badly – but he feels better knowing the money is in the rightful hands.
“I always thought, ‘What would I do if that ever happened?’ Now I know, and it makes me feel good,” Kirby said.
According to Taphaps:
Just days after returning the money, Kirby said he received a phone call. It was John Conversa with Eikenhout Building Supplies, telling Kirby the company was going to donate materials and hire a contractor to repair his roof.
Additionally, a good Samaritan started a Go Fund Me to help Kirby with his financial burdens and raised $16,000 for the struggling grandfather. Regardless of the support, Kirby says he would do it all over again in a heartbeat.
“I have had so much peace, so much joy because I did do it, that $43,000 never could buy that much joy or peace or happiness,” Kirby said.
As for the support and donations he received, Kirby says he is “blessed beyond words” and never expected such a big response.
“There is so much thankfulness, it boggles my mind sometimes what is happening for me,” Kirby said. “I’m just amazed by it.”
Watch it here: Youtube/WJBF
Sources: Taphaps, Foxnews, Abcnews