Michigan mother grateful after local realtor returns lost wallet full of nearly $100 in tips
When Michelle Johnson of Wyandotte, Michigan, looked at her security camera and saw a stranger on her porch, she didn't know who he was — or what he wanted. Then, the stranger held up a wallet in front of the camera, making sure it was visible.
Johnson quickly realized the wallet belonged to her college-age son. It held more than $100 in cash — tips he had earned from working the entire weekend at the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. The kind stranger was returning his wallet.
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'I almost cried. I know that sounds silly, but it was nice,' Johnson told WCSC-TV Live 5 News, describing the unexpected kindness of a stranger who went out of his way to do the right thing.
Donnie Hanson, a 26-year-old real estate agent, was surprised to find the wallet while running errands on a busy Monday afternoon. He noticed the wallet lying conspicuously in the middle of the road.
'I couldn't believe that it was just lying in the middle of the road,' he told Live 5 News reporters.
"I just knew I had to give it back," he added.
Hanson explained that he had previously lost his wallet, an experience he never forgot, — especially since his wallet was never returned. Remembering how it felt, he was determined not to let someone else go through that same experience.
Johnson, an elementary school teacher, emphasized that Hanson's thoughtful gesture had a significant emotional impact on her family. Losing the wallet meant losing more than just cash — it represented hard work and dedication. Now, her son has his wallet back.
'These small acts of kindness truly make a difference in the world,' Johnson said.
She also pointed out how meaningful Hanson's actions were to her son, a busy college student who was rushing around town and likely hadn't noticed when the wallet slipped out of his pocket.
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While this story had a happy ending, losing your wallet can be stressful and financially risky. Here are a few practical ways to protect your finances — and improve your chances of having lost items returned.
Minimizing the cash you carry can reduce potential losses. Digital payments like Apple Pay and Google Pay offer secure, trackable alternatives to cash and can be processed from your phone.
Consider carrying a smaller wallet with just your ID, one or two credit cards and a small amount of cash. Leave the rest at home or at another secure location. Fewer items mean less hassle — and less loss if your wallet goes missing. Also, keep your wallet in your front pocket rather than your back pocket, where it can more easily slip out.
Consider discreetly labeling important items, like your phone case and wallet, with a phone number or email address. This ensures you can be contacted, without revealing sensitive information like your address, and increases your chances of recovering lost items.
Regularly reviewing your bank and credit card statements can help you detect unauthorized transactions quickly. Think about setting up text or email alerts for larger purchases so you're notified if someone tries to make a big purchase, which, in the event your wallet is picked up by someone not-so-honest, it might trigger you to cancel your cards quicker.
Taking practical measures can help protect your finances, while practicing everyday acts of kindness can help create stronger, more supportive communities. As Michelle Johnson experienced firsthand, small gestures can leave lasting impressions — reminding us all of the good we can do for each other.
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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
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Brenda's Bar-Be-Que Pit: It may be just a countertop joint in a residential Montgomery neighborhood, but locals are consistently lining up to engorge on Brenda's seriously good barbecue, from the pig ear sandwiches to towering rib plates. Saw's BBQ: A staple in the Birmingham barbecue circuit, Saw's serves up every iteration of Alabama barbecue and each location follows a special theme. No matter where you go, the low-and-slow-cooked ribs are divinely tender and the chicken and white sauce is loaded with puckering tang. Born in Detroit and displaced all over, Tom Burson is a travel, food, and culture writer and professional lollygagger. His writing is rooted in uncovering the quirky, not-so-talked-about nooks and crannies and traditions around the world. Follow along at @tommyburson
