Elderly man accidentally donates life-savings to Goodwill

IOWA CITY - Goodwill employees across Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois are searching for $13,000 in cash, accidentally donated to a Moline Goodwill store in a suit pocket.

Goodwill of the Heartland V.P of Marketing, Dana Engelbert said that the 80-year-old man who made the accidental donation is very upset and hoping a good samaritan will soon come forward with the money.

"We've had the family come into the store and search through the inventory," Engelbert said.  "It could have been put out on the store floor (in Moline) already and sold, or it's possible that it's in the Iowa City warehouse."

The man, who doesn't want to be identified, doesn't know the exact date that he donated the suit with the money wedged in the pocket. Goodwill employees are searching through more than a month's worth of donations at their Iowa City warehouse, where spring and summer clothing donations are being stored for the winter.

"We have a network of 14 stores spread far and wide across our territory, we have a great staff who wants to help," said Engelbert. "We very much want to find this money."

The man had been using the money, in-part to help his wife battle stage-four cancer.  A $1,000 reward is being offered to the person who brings the money to the family. Anyone with information is asked to contact their local Goodwill store.