State Treasurer Fitzgerald Reunites Mission of Hope with Lost Funds

DES MOINES, IA (08/31/2020) (readMedia)-- State Treasurer Michael Fitzgerald was pleased to present a check for over $9,000 from the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt to Mission of Hope of Linn County in Cedar Rapids. "This part of my job is very rewarding because I get to see first-hand the benefits of the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt unclaimed property program," Fitzgerald said. "Mission of Hope is a Christian ministry that offers physical, emotional and spiritual help to those in need. I hope these returned funds will assist Mission of Hope in continuing their efforts in the community."

Mission of Hope located its unclaimed property by searching online at GreatIowaTreasureHunt.gov. On behalf of Mission of Hope, Executive Director, Kim Reem, received the check. "Mission of Hope was excited to see these funds listed in the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt," said Reem. "We appreciate the helpfulness of the State Treasurer's staff working with us to see these funds returned. The funds will be a big help right now as we offer aid to members of our community devastated by the derecho on August 10." You may watch the virtual check presentation here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTpmzIYkV-E.

Over $395 million is waiting to be claimed in the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt and over $24 million of those funds are in Linn County alone. "We are all partners in ensuring we look out for our organizations that provide valuable services here in Iowa," said Fitzgerald. "Many organizations and businesses are struggling financially amid the coronavirus pandemic, so I encourage everyone to search GreatIowaTreasureHunt.gov for organizations and businesses in their community. You never know who you could find."

Unclaimed property refers to money and other assets held by financial institutions or companies that have lost contact with the property's owner for a specific period of time. State law requires these institutions and companies to annually report unclaimed property to the State Treasurer's Office. The assets are then held in the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt until the owner or heir of the property is found. Common forms of unclaimed property include savings or checking accounts, stocks, uncashed checks, life insurance policies, utility security deposits and safe deposit box contents. The program has returned over $286 million in unclaimed property since Fitzgerald created it in 1983.

Visit the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt at GreatIowaTreasureHunt.gov to begin your search and make your claim today. Keep up with all of Treasurer Fitzgerald's programs on Facebook and Twitter.

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