Strangers join together to help dog walker recover lost rent money
By Kemberly Richardson
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NEW YORK (WABC) — Strangers in Inwood joined together to help a dog walker who lost part of her rent money at a neighborhood bagel store.
In what could be dubbed the Miracle on 207th Street, JJ Cerillo has been reminded there is goodness and generosity out there.
“There are nice things happening around communities, especially Inwood, Inwood is a very tight community,” Cerillo said.
While she was inside Inwood Bagels on Dec. 30, Cerillo had three $100 bills in her wallet mixed in with other money. When she paid, she didn’t realize until she got home that some money had fallen out.
“I’m freaking out, almost had a panic attack, so I called them and was like did you happen to find $300,” Cerillo said.
Manager Deja Hamad got the call.
“She said to look for the $300 and I came all the way here to check and I told her no, nothing,” Hamad said.
Cerillo went back and looked for the money that was for part of her rent but had no luck. So she posted about it on the neighborhood group chat and acknowledged it was a long shot, but asked if anyone had found the $300.
One of the first to reply, a neighbor named Drew, proposed that if two people joined him, he would put $10 toward replacing the lost money.
And within 24 hours, Cerillo said she had the $300.
She immediately let everyone know, calling it a win-win as others commented that it was a beautiful outcome for the community and good neighborly news.
Drew said he wanted to help because he’s been in her shoes before when several years ago he lost $600.
As for the lost cash, Cerillo said the person must have needed it more and there are no hard feelings.
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