WHITE LAKE TOWNSHIP (WWJ) - Efforts are underway to help a good Samaritan in Oakland County after she returned a bag full of cash she found at a gas station during her walk to work last week.
White Lake Township Police Chief Dan Keller told WWJ's Taylor Dietz that local resident Dianne Gordon, a mother and grandmother in her 60s, had stopped at a BP gas station to warm up while walking home from work on Jan. 21 when she found a bag full of cash on the ground.
Officers were dispatched to the location just before 6 p.m. after Gordon contacted police about the money, which turned out to belong to a newlywed couple from Eaton Rapids.
Upon investigation, police said roughly $14,800 in cash was stuffed into the Ziploc bag along with wedding cards. The money was returned to the couple, but the story doesn't end there.
"After calling us and turning in the money, one of the officer’s wives heard about the story and wanted to start a GoFundMe," Keller added.
The police chief said Gordon has been walking back and forth to her job after losing her car last year. Every day she works, Gordon makes the 2.5 mile trek from her home in the White Lake Mobile Home Community to VC’s Fresh Marketplace in Waterford, in rain, shine, fog or snow.
When she job is finished, she walks another two and a half miles back.
"She self admittedly “needed the money” and “it would be life-changing” for her, but that she didn’t think twice about not turning it in," police said.
Now local law enforcement along with Szott Automotive are teaming up with the White Lake Police Foundation to give back to Gordon.
“There is no one more deserving than Dianne than to get a car for her selfless act," Keller said.
When Jeff Schneider from Szott Automotive -- who also sits with Keller on the Foundation board -- heard of Gordon's story, he knew helping out was the right thing to do.
"I drove here in the my nice new car from work with the heat on and my heated seat and my heated steering wheel, thinking about this lady who walks two and a half miles in this every day just to make a living," Schneider said to Dietz.
Schneider said he made a few phone calls and with the police department, a GoFundMe was started. Less than 24 hours after creating the page, over $10,000 has already been raised out of their $25,000 goal.
"Szott Automotive Group is going to kick in and make sure we can get her something really nice," Schneider said. In addition, one of their partners agreed to give Gordan a long-term extended warranty.
"We can make sure that not only does she have a car, but it’s not going to break down again where she won’t be able to repair it and get to work," Schneider said. "It’s nice to know good human beings still exist on this earth."
Keller said the greatest part of the story was that Gordon never opened up the bag to see how much money was there.
"She didn’t count the money. She just knew it wasn’t hers," the chief said. "Dianne is a perfect example of integrity and selflessness even in her own time of need."
As of noon on Feb. 2, almost $20,000 has been raised toward the GoFundMe. To find out more about fundraising efforts, visit https://gofund.me/8b660c69.