When Howard Kirby, a resident of Michigan, decided he needed a couch for his man cave, he went to the Habitat for Humanity Restore in Owosso. There, he spent $70 on an old, rustic couch and a matching ottoman, both of which had seen better days but still had some use left in them. Unbeknownst to him, the antique furniture came with an unexpected bonus.
Shortly after bringing the furniture home, Kirby noticed that the ottoman was strangely shaped and uncomfortable. His daughter decided to unzip the cushion, and to their astonishment, they discovered banded stacks of $100 bills hidden within the padding. They counted a total of $43,170, according to Fox News.
Kirby couldn’t believe his luck, feeling as if he was in a dream. He had experienced a difficult year – a painful divorce, the loss of a close cousin to cancer, and even the removal of a kidney after discovering a tumor. His son had also moved in with him after losing his job. The money seemed like a godsend, with countless ways to use it, such as repairing the roof of his home or paying off medical expenses, as MLive reports.
However, Kirby experienced a moral dilemma. He felt that keeping the money wouldn’t be the right thing to do. Despite being told by a lawyer that he could legally keep the cash, Kirby contacted the thrift store and asked them to find the person who had donated the couch.
The store managed to trace the furniture back to Kim Fauth-Newberry, who had donated the couch that had belonged to her late grandfather. She was shocked to learn about the hidden money in the ottoman. Kirby met with Fauth-Newberry’s family and returned every single penny to them.
Kirby, a born-again Christian, attributed his actions to his faith, stating that he was simply following the example of Jesus. Despite returning the money and still facing his own financial challenges, Kirby’s good deeds did not go unnoticed.
Just days after giving the money back, John Conversa from Eikenhout Building Supplies called Kirby to inform him that the company would donate materials and hire a contractor to repair his roof. Furthermore, a kind stranger set up a GoFundMe campaign to help Kirby with his financial struggles, raising $16,000 for the deserving grandfather.
Grateful for the support and generosity he received, Kirby felt “blessed beyond words” and expressed his amazement at the kindness of others. The assistance he received allowed him to continue making repairs to his house and help his family in their time of need.
Howard Kirby’s story serves as a powerful reminder that there are still people who put the well-being of others before their own. By returning the money, he not only demonstrated his commitment to doing the right thing but also set an inspiring example of love and kindness for everyone around him.