It was just another day at the office -- the Noridian Administrative Services office in Fargo -- for Debra Schatz Resell.
But the day became special when she found there really are honest people in the world.
They were the three who returned her money -- $500 she didn't know was missing.
This is a story from last year. It was researched by Darrel Veldhouse, who works for Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota. Noridian Administrative Services, associated with that company, provides Medicare benefit administration services and employs 800 people in North Dakota.
Debra is one of them. She is a provider enrollment specialist.
ADVERTISEMENT
One day Debra cashed her payroll check and put $500 of it in cash in an envelope, along with her ID and other items.
She went to the company's break room, relaxed for a while and then went back to her desk.
A half-hour later, she got a call from the front desk. Three people had brought in her envelope with everything in it, including all $500.
The honest people were Amy Rueckert and Sonya Cooley from Medicare adjudication, along with Ryan Hallett, an employee of Fritz Electric of Fargo, who was doing some electrical work in the office.
The three were taking a break at the same table where Debra had been sitting. They picked up a newspaper, Ryan says, and there was the money-stuffed envelope underneath.
Amy says they never considered keeping the money.
"We just looked for the name and brought it to the front desk." she says.
Debra, money in hand, tracked down the three and sent them thank-you notes and gift certificates to buy some movies.
ADVERTISEMENT
"I can't even believe I didn't realize (the money) was missing until they called me to the office," she says. "I guess we don't realize that we have such great people here. They were so honest."
Yes, they were.
A salute, then, to Amy, Sonya and Ryan for demonstrating that honesty, in an insurance office as well as elsewhere, always is the best policy.
If you have an item of interest for this column, mail it to Neighbors, The Forum, Box 2020, Fargo, ND 58107; fax it to (701) 241-5487; or e-mail rlind@forumcomm.com
