POUGHKEEPSIE – New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli delivered “found money” to the Children’s Home of Poughkeepsie at a Chamber of Commerce breakfast on Wednesday. DiNapoli oversees $18 billion in unclaimed funds that are owed to people, businesses, and others that are currently waiting for rightful heirs to claim. The Children’s Home received a check for more than $6,500 from the fund after DiNapoli staffers checked the website prior to his visit to Poughkeepsie.
DiNapoli’s office returns nearly $1.5 million in unclaimed funds every day after validating claims.
“We did a search and we saw that there was a significant amount for them,” the state’s fiscal watchdog said. “We always love to return peoples’ money and it helps make the point that there is real money in our unclaimed funds – so given the great work they do (Children’s Home), I know they’ll put it to good use.”
“It was a big surprise,” said Erin Cafarelli of the Children’s Home. “It’s important for businesses, non-profits, and everyone to be diligent in checking the comptroller’s website for unclaimed funds. Cafarelli didn’t say what the funds will be used for after the check was presented to the Home’s Executive Director, Walter Joseph, at the end of the breakfast, but said, “It will certainly be put to good use.”
