Good Samaritan finds $1K at Inuvik NorthMart, then finds owner

A trip to the grocery store in Inuvik, N.W.T., ended with an unusual find: $1,000 in cash.

Michael Francis went to NorthMart to get some last-minute supplies for his son’s fourth birthday party. On his way out the door, he spotted a large wad of cash next to a grocery cart. 

“I was in a rush at the moment because my son’s birthday was just about on the go,” he says. 

He looked around for someone who was looking for the cash or checking their pockets, didn’t see anybody, and headed out the door to get to the party on time, thinking he could call the store or post something on Facebook once he got home. 

When he got home, he put the money on the table in front of his girlfriend.

“I told her, 'Look what I found.' And she couldn't believe it. She just looked at me and she didn't know what to say for a second. And right away I said, 'We have to find the owner of this money.'”

After a quick call to the store, the pair discovered a lady had lost the money and was searching for it. 

When Francis arranged to return the money, he didn’t recognize the woman, who he says was in shock. 

“I just smiled and I said Merry Christmas.” 

Francis says returning the money was an easy decision.  

“It’s Christmastime and I don’t want to see another family hurt by losing such a large sum of money. There could be kids out there that may not have Christmas gifts.” 

Francis says his grandparents always taught him to respect people, no matter who they are or where they come from, because “one of these days it’s gonna come back to you.”

That’s already happened. 

After hearing the story, Inuvik resident Vince Sharpe wrote on his Facebook page that he is giving Francis $200 for his good deed, saying “what goes around comes around.”