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In December 2019, Howard Kirby bought a used couch and matching ottoman from the Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Owosso, Michigan. The total came to $43,170. The furniture had originally belonged to Phillip Fauth, who died in 2019. On January 16, 2020, Kirby returned the entire $43,170 to her. The discovery and return of the money took place in January 2020.
Because he needed a new roof for his home, he later explained that he could have used the money, particularly. The money could have solved some of his immediate problems, but he chose to find the person who had lost it.
Kirby later told WNEM, “I still have to pinch myself to make sure I’m not dreaming or something. An attorney told him he had no legal obligation to return the cash. A second-hand sofa bought for a man cave turned into an extraordinary discovery for a Michigan family. What began as a small furniture purchase ended with thousands of dollars in cash, a search for the rightful owner and a decision that made the story memorable. The discovery also raises an interesting question about honesty: What happens when something valuable turns up in an ordinary purchase, and keeping it would be easy? He wanted furniture for his man cave, and the purchase seemed ordinary. A few weeks later, however, the ottoman became uncomfortable. That small problem led to a discovery worth far more than the furniture itself. Kirby’s daughter-in-law unzipped the cushion to investigate. Inside, she found a box filled with bundles of cash. The cash was not scattered randomly through the furniture. It was packed inside the ottoman cushion, with some bundles carrying notes. The unexpected find left Kirby and his family stunned. His granddaughter, Kim Fauth-Newberry, had donated it to the ReStore without knowing that her grandfather’s savings were still hidden inside. The family had no idea what the donation would eventually reveal. When the store contacted Fauth-Newberry, the news came as a complete surprise. The discovery presented Kirby with a difficult choice. Still, Kirby did not feel comfortable treating someone else’s savings as his own. He contacted the ReStore and asked the staff to trace the furniture’s previous owner. His decision is what makes this story more than an unusual thrift-store find. The store eventually connected Kirby with Kim Fauth-Newberry, whose late grandfather had owned the couch. Fauth-Newberry described the situation as “just crazy. Her husband, Mike Newberry, also wondered why anyone would hide so much money inside furniture. Kirby’s own words explain the decision best: “I always thought, ‘What would I do if that ever happened,’ and now I know, and it makes me feel good. The story is a reminder that unexpected luck does not always come with a simple answer. Sometimes, the most valuable part of a discovery is knowing what to do with it. Disclaimer: This article is based on reports from WNEM and CNN. TOI did not independently verify the original incident. Looking for trusted parenting advice? Follow TOI Parenting Circle on Instagram for expert guidance, relatable stories, and practical tips delivered every day. Get the latest Lifestyle News and more. Download the TOI app.
The family had expected an ordinary donation. Instead, they received a forgotten piece of their grandfather’s financial history back.
He said that despite his own needs, Kirby had chosen to “do the right thing.” Rick Merling, the ReStore manager, praised Kirby’s decision.