She found $5,000 -- and gave it back

GULFPORT -- If there's any question whether honest people still exist, look no further than Rita Thompson, a volunteer at the Gulfport Senior Center.

Last week while sifting through clothes at the center's annual flea market sale, Thompson came across a toiletry bag. Inside she found a wad of cash: $5,000 to be exact.

The bag belonged to a man who had recently died. His wife donated some of his clothes and other items to the senior center for the sale. At the end of the day the volunteers gathered up all of the unsold items. They planned to donate them to a local charity, said Susan Frank, director at the center.

Once Thompson found the money she told Frank, who called the woman who donated the clothes. The woman, who has asked to remain anonymous, later reclaimed the cash.

"I was really shocked, but grateful," Frank said of Thompson's actions. "We know we have wonderful volunteers here, but the total honesty and integrity of our volunteers is phenomenal."

- Nicole Hutcheson, Times staff writer

Comments

[Gilbert]

Ms. Thompson has set an example that will last a lifetime. God Bless!

[Chip]

This is a great story. I hope the Times does a follow-up on Ms. Thompson. What a class example she's set for the rest of us.

[Tom]

Thank God for people like that. My mother lost a wad of cash three times that much. No one ever returned it. She really needed the money also.

A wealth of happiness will be brought to Ms. Thompson.

[CeCe]

You did the right thing and will be blessed by your action. That says a lot about you.

[melacakiki]

I wish I had been at the auction and bought that stupid case. I would have a $1000 dollar hotel room and $4000 worth of hookers.

[Larry]

Melacakiki - - YOUR AN IDIOT!

[AJ]

Bravo Ms. Thompson! God will bless you for your honesty! I have something else to say.. Melacakiki, imagine yourself as the one who lost that money. How woukd YOU feel if someone kept it? Maybe you ought to rethink your comments and apologize to Ms. Thompson!

[melacakiki]

AJ and Larrry. P*ss off you idiots. The money was not lost, the woman didnt even know it existed. You would know this if you were able to read. Please feel free to eat a huge sh*t sandwich!

[bird]

Good people do still exist. Bless Rita Thompson.

[John]

I would hope that the lady that donated the clothes gave this woman a nice reward. I would say at least $1000. This woman is certainly an exception.

[matt]

you p*ss off melacakiki you will go to hell one day so go smoke ur crack

[Tommy Boy]

Bless Ms. Thompson!

Me thinks she should gets a reward or something! My Brothers woulds have kept its, don'ts ya knows!

[melacakiki]

Matt, I will quit smokin crack when you quit smokin d*ck

[David]

Did Mrs. Thompson even think to give the Auctioneers or Charity a donation out of the new found money?

[Kman]

Man, if I had money I would send Ms. Thompson a check for the same amount. It is people like her that make things appear right sometimes.

[Houston]

If that old man had gotten pulled over with that money in his toiletry bag the cops would have figured him for a thief or drug dealer. Where is that cute old widow now?

[Beth]

Good for you Ms Thompson, good things will come to you. You know the saying

"what goes around comes around"

Good for you.

Rita like so many people at the Gulfport Senior Center are the best!!

The event was for the Gulfport Senior Center Foundation award presentation to Debra Shade of Neighborly Senior Services for their contribution that made it possible for the president of the Foundation, Jane Ogilvie, to acquire a refrigerator for the Gulfport Senior Center.

Our thanks to all involved and especially to Rita for demonstrating once again the values that our community hold dear.