Good Deeds in Orland Park (Purse Found)
Originally published June 8, 2014 (Submission copy)
Regular readers of the SouthtownStar may be familiar with the “Speak Out” section. Often, there are “thank you” notes for random acts of kindness: “thank you to the person who helped me change a tire” or “thank you to the person that found my wallet and turned it in”. I am always excited to read these stories, and have, from time to time been in a position to help. A found wallet brought back to its rightful owner; is one example that I was able to get that “feel good” rush after the distraught owner realized she had dropped it out of her purse in a parking lot.
Last year, I relayed the story of a young man who had his wallet stolen out of his car, only to have the culprit return it to his home after he learned (by evidence on the drivers license) that his victim’s 21st birthday was just around the corner, and without that document, he would be unable to enjoy any of the festivities he and his friends had planned for his birthday weekend.
Being on that end, the “losing” end, of any important piece of property is not a good feeling. After a busy day, and a busier afternoon – rife with errands that brought me to and fro (hither and yon) – I absently left my purse in a Jewel (179th and Wolf Road, Orland Park) shopping cart. Drycleaning, the empty drycleaning bag, multiple grocery bags were all retrieved. Even my car keys and phone were in my hand. Off to the next stop – which is where I discovered my mistake.
Not in panic mode quite yet, I phoned my daughter, who was slightly closer to the store to see if she could grab it out of the cart before anyone else did. She headed out on her way. Meanwhile, I phoned the store. Answering the phone was a kind voice, belonging to Renee Keagle. Explaining that I was not yet in panic mode, but knowing where I last had my precious cargo, I asked if anyone had turned it in.
“No, no one has turned it in, yet. When were you here last?” she queried.
I looked at my watch – “Less than fifteen minutes ago, maybe?” I answered, still trying to remain calm.
She replied, “If you can stay on the line, I’ll go look for it! Where do you think it was last?”
I said, “I’m pretty sure I just left it in the cart, which I put in the cart corral near the end of the lot.”
“Okay. Stay on the line and I’ll go look.”
She did, and, after the phone rang back (automatically) she picked up and said she retrieved it! It was exactly where I explained, in the basket of the cart. She locked it in her office, and said I could pick it up there.
Canceling my daughter’s mission, and arriving at the store within minutes, I bolted for the office. Renee’s smiling face met me at the counter, and I quickly admitted that she was looking at the person whose life she just made right again.
She said that she put herself in my shoes, and only did what she thought she would want someone to do for her in that same situation. Ms. Keagle added that she could only imagine that feeling of not having your purse, and all of its contents – even if it was only for less than ½ hour!
Going back to the store a few days later, I met with the Front End Manager Darlene Reihel, and Assistant Front End Manager, Kelley Wilson, and reiterated the circumstances that brought me back to the store twice in one day.
They explained the procedure when someone turns in an item that has no identification, they will log it in a logbook, and also log the person that turned it in; then, if after 30 days no one claims the item; the person who found it may collect it. If the item is something with identification, like a wallet or purse, they will make every effort to contact the person, and return it.
They told of the number of items that are found (average of about two items a week), and how they try to reunite an article with its owner. They are amazed at some of the items that are left behind: cell phones, tablets, car keys, and wallets. They are happy whenever items are returned; as in the case of a plain white envelope, containing $680 cash, which was left at a register – luckily, some honest person turned in the money, and it was returned.
It is much better be on the “finding” end, than the “losing” end, however, there are good people out there! Thank you, Renee!