"Dianne is a perfect example of integrity and selflessness even in her own time of need," a fundraiser stated.
A 65-year-old grandmother didn't think twice after she stumbled upon nearly $15,000 in a plastic bag outside a BP gas station near Pontiac Lake Rd in White Lake Township, Michigan. Dianne Gordon walked almost three miles to and from work five days a week ever since her car broke down about a year ago. She could have used the money for herself and maybe even buy a new car. But she decided to do the honorable thing. She told WXYZ, “I was taught if it doesn’t belong to you, you don’t keep it.”
Grandmother returns $15K she found — and gets her own generous surprise from strangers https://t.co/UnkfT4OAsI pic.twitter.com/4FqCAiH5JM
— New York Post (@nypost) February 8, 2023
According to a GoFundMe, the elderly woman was walking into the BP to warm up from the cold and snow, when she found a Ziplock bag on the ground. She was shocked to find the bag filled with cash. "Gordon went inside, notified the cashier, and immediately called the White Lake Police. She turned the bag over to the police and never opened it (even though she could clearly see a large amount of cash inside)."
Although she confessed that she "needed the money” and “it would be life-changing” for her, she didn’t think twice about not turning it in. $14,780 was found in the bag along with wedding cards which seemed to be gifts of a newly married couple. The fundraiser went on to call Dianne "a perfect example of integrity and selflessness even in her own time of need" adding that they were raising money with Szott Automotive to get Gordon a vehicle of her own. The page managed to raise $82,675 and has now been disabled by the organizer.
'I didn't hesitate.' White Lake Township, Michigan Grandmom forced to walk 3 miles to and fro work returns $15K she found is now gifted $77K and counting by donors https://t.co/HNfFh8Q1SQ #Dianne Gordon
— Scallywagandvagabond (@ScallywagNYC) February 8, 2023
The good samaritan ended up getting what she truly deserved. The Szott M-59 Jeep dealership dropped off a vehicle for her. Even then the grandmother evoked kindness by saying not only will she use the vehicle to get to work but also to see her loved ones. She doesn't need to walk in the cold Michigan temperatures anymore.
“My grandson is 13 and he plays hockey. And my granddaughter is 11 and she does gymnastics and I haven't seen her play or do gymnastics yet. So that's going to be very important that I get to see her do that," Gordon said. "It means the world to me. I miss them so much,” she added. Gordon is also incredibly grateful for the community's support and stunned by the outpouring of generosity. “I never expected anything like this,” she said, according to The Washington Post. “I am overwhelmed. I was just doing what I was taught to do."
References:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/dianne-gordon
https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2023/02/07/dianne-gordon-michigan-found-money/
Cover Image Source: YouTube | WXYZ-TV Detroit | Channel 7
