Staffers on hand to do unclaimed property searches

State Treasurer John Perdue presented two people unclaimed property checks May 10 at Appalachian Power Park, while other fans had a good time searching Treasurer’s Office databases for unclaimed property.

It was all part of Unclaimed Property Night at the Ballpark, an ode to one of the Treasurer’s Office flagship programs.

Receiving checks Friday were Nicholas Nunnery of Charleston, for $1,161.53, and Peggy Prater of Beckley, for whom the office found $384. Both checks represented funds left behind in local banks and turned over to the Treasury after a certain period of inactivity. The Division found both Nunnery and Prater through outreach efforts.

“There is nothing like being the rare government official who gets to give money back to folks,” Treasurer Perdue said. “We take a lot of pride in finding the rightful owners of those who have been separated from their assets. It’s your money and we want you to have it.”

Nunnery did not know the amount of his check beforehand. He let out an enthusiastic whoop when it was revealed.  

Friday’s event also attempted to draw attention to another office program. The office will sponsor May 18 the fifth annual SMART5.29 K run/walk, which raises college savings money for children adopted from foster care and begins right outside the Smith Street Power Park gate.

Alex Todd and wife Beth threw out the first pitch and counted down to the post-game fireworks. Their three children were recipients of race-affiliated Smart Start Awards in 2018. Smart Start provides funds for SMART529 college scholarship savings accounts, as money from race sponsorships is divided among selected families. Social services entity FrameWorks does the selecting.

The Todds are the Ambassador Family for this year’s race. For more information or to participate, go to www.wvtreasury.com.