Goodwill Returns 10K In Coins To Family, Ending 2-Year Mystery

ROCKFORD, IL — After a Goodwill donation attendant found something unusual — and very valuable — among items donated from an estate, the company's finance director made it her mission to track down the rightful owner. Last fall, the attendant discovered a hollow book among other donated items at the Goodwill Northern Illinois Machesney Park location. Inside the book was a cache of coins — that turned out to be $10,000 worth of uncirculated silver coins.

No one had reported the coins missing, so Finance Director Naomi Miller "went on a supersleuth mission," according to a news release from Goodwill. A receipt inside the book didn't turn up any leads, and online obituaries didn't provide any clues to identify the donor's family.

So Miller enlisted help from Brent Ward, a Chase Bank employee. Ward helped track down the trust account for the individual, which led Miller to a relative.

"If there is a chance to help out one of our customers, we will do whatever we can," Ward said.

Miller tracked down the family member, who wished to remain anonymous. It turned out the family knew the coins were missing, but had no idea what happened to them.

“Due to initiative way 'above and beyond' by Goodwill employees, my father's precious coins have been returned to me," the relative said. "I am able to finally put this to rest after two years of worry."

The coins were picked up at the Goodwill office and are now safely back with the family member – where they belong. “This story ended on high note for the whole Goodwill organization and we couldn’t be happier," Miller said.

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