Thanks to honest couple student reunited with wallet
By Rose Panieri rpanieri@stmedianetwork.com May 21, 2012 10:20PM
Jimmy Jones reunited with his wallet. Rose Panieri~Sun-Times Media
Updated: July 1, 2012 11:57AM
Last Tuesday, I had the opportunity to meet two wonderful human beings who recharged my emotional battery.
Jessica Youngberg of Manhattan dropped by with a wallet she found a week ago Monday. She and her husband had been driving along Jefferson Street when she spied the wallet lying there all by its lonesome.
Let’s face the nitty-gritty facts: many people would have grabbed the wallet, snatched any money in it and then tossed the evidence in the trash. Those with bona fide criminal inclinations would have made lucrative use of credit cards and identification.
In the minority are a select few — honest, compassionate people like the Youngbergs — who strive to do what’s right, even when it’s inconvenient or downright dangerous (such as dodging traffic on Jefferson Street).
Jimmy Jones: optimist
Thirty minutes after Youngberg turned in the wallet, we were able to track down its owner — a college student named Jimmy Jones. Luckily, we found him before his graduation from Joliet Junior College on Friday.
Jones was certainly glad to get his wallet back. Monday evening, he had been filling his gas tank and simultaneously talking on the phone with his mother. Like so many of us multitaskers, he forgot about the wallet he had unthinkingly placed on the top of the car. When he drove off, the wallet — POOF — vanished.
Upon meeting Jones, I thought, “Here’s a fine young man with good manners.” His parents — Glenda and Jimmy Jones Sr. of Warner Robins, Ga. — deserve credit for raising such a high-quality son.
What was especially pleasant about meeting Jones is his wonderful attitude. This is one young fellow who remains unfazed by the fact that our economy is in the crapper. He’s bound and determined to succeed — and succeed he will.
With an associate degree firmly under his belt, Jones will be heading to Northern Illinois University in the fall to earn a bachelor’s and then master’s degree in business administration.
“After that, I want to open a chain of men’s and women’s clothing,” he said. “The fashion industry doesn’t recognize that not all people are average. There are a lot of really tall people and others are big. I’m going to sell clothes made to fit everyone.”
Jones plans to call his women’s stores “Royal” — because in his eyes, his mother is royalty, and Jones sees nobility in all members of the female gender (smart fellow).
His men’s chain will be called “Cater.”
“I got the idea because my dad really loves to be catered to while he’s sitting in his easy chair watching TV,” Jones said with a big smile.
Sincere appreciation
Transitioning from his sunny future to the here and now, Jones expressed his surprise and delight at getting his wallet returned. Finding Southern hospitality right here in sunny Will County warmed the cockles of his heart.
“Please let the lady who brought my wallet in know how grateful I am for her honesty,” Jones said. “It was really great of her to go through so much trouble.”
Bling thing
Louise Converse of Joliet brought in quite an impressive watch she found near Taft School in Joliet. The watch is gold colored and made for a man. However, since the band is relatively small, it may belong to a young teen.
The watch is quite a masterpiece of bling: big, bold and covered in crystals. It’s a Jean Paul watch, and it’s amazing that anyone could lose something that shines like the sun.
A little more bling
A Crest Hill woman who prefers to remain anonymous brought in a silver tone woman’s ring with crystals she found in Portillo’s in Shorewood. The ring is about a size 8.5.
WIBC ring lost
Libby Hall of Joliet lost her prized bowling ring approximately six weeks ago. The ring is gold or gold tone with a dark green stone in a marquis shape. It’s a size 7 and has WIBC imprinted on either side of the stone. She may have lost it in or near Sam’s Club in Joliet.
If you’ve lost — or found — something, call 815-773-7178 or email rpanieri@stmedianetwork.com.
