Big Money Found in Storage Unit Translates to Donation for Special Olympics

When Lady Luck smiled down on a Santa Fe, N.M., storage unit customer, the owner of the storage facility made a special lucky move in return. While going through her unit, Sandra Peters found $1,000 among her olive oil products in the climate controlled storage space. The storage facility owner randomly planted the money there and proceeded to match Peters’ good fortune by donating $1,000 to the Special Olympics in Santa Fe.

Matching the winnings with a donation was a feel-good gesture and a way to generate more awareness of Steve Reid’s new business, Wagon Self Storage. And planting the $1,000 in the storage unit was similarly a unique way to generate  publicity.

Peters operates a store called The Olive Grove and her lucky find and attention will surely give her business a bounce. She was excited to find Wagon Self Storage because its climate controlled technology is perfect for storing her olivaster oil.

Climate controlled storage facilities ensure that items stored in units will not face extremes in air temperature or humidity. Many storage unit facilities use indirect heating and cooling systems to maintain air temperature, rather than individual heaters or air conditioners in each unit.

Peters’ enthusiasm for her climate controlled unit was compounded by the excitement of finding the $1,000. Reid was pleased all around that Peters’ winnings and the matched contribution would bring some good will and much-needed publicity for his new storage facility.

“We cogitation it would be fun to use the same style of furtherance Willy Wonka used in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Rather than propitious tickets, we offered one lucky storage renter $1,000 cash. To move it even more fun and meaningful, we promised the Special Olympics to donate $1,000 while the winner was found. This was more fun than I always thought it would be. We’re so happy for Sandra and the Special Olympics, both worthy recipients of the cash,” said Steve Reid, Owner of Wagon Self Storage in an article that appeared in Fresh News Daily.

The Special Olympics is an international organization and competition held every two years, alternating between summer and winter games. It is for people who have intellectual disabilities. There are also local, national and regional competitions in more than 150 countries worldwide.

“Special Olympics of Santa Fe Receives  $1,000 Donation and One Lucky…” Fresh News Daily. 2010

“What are the Advantages of Climate Controlled Storage?” WiseGeek. 2010

“Around the World. In the Spotlight.” The Special Olympics. 2010.