What a coincidence — on Tuesday, July 25, I was surprised to hear two news

reports on the TV that began similar to the way that I ended my identity theft column on Wednesday, July 26, concerning making someone else’s trash a treasure. Those reports would probably now cause more people to search trash bins who may have not even thought of doing it before. The results of those two stories can make the searcher think twice either in a positive or negative direction.

The first news article was about a homeless Detroit man named Charles Moore. Moore had lost his job six weeks prior. While he was searching in a garbage bin for a few pennies worth of returnable bottles for some extra income, he came across $21,000 worth of U.S. savings bonds. To find the rightful owner, he took the bonds to a homeless shelter and a staff person there tracked down the family of the original owner, who was deceased. The bonds were returned to the family of the deceased owner and the family rewarded Moore with only $100. However, when the news became known of what Moore did, strangers stepped forward to up the ante. He has now received more than $4,000, eight trash bags of returnable bottles, a shopping spree at a clothing store and a lead on a new job. Even though he has received all of these material rewards, in my opinion, the most important thing that he has earned is a reputation for being an honest man.

The next article was about Michael Hoskins, a Danville resident. While he was dumping some garbage in a dumpster, he spotted an extremely rare item—an 18th Century King James Bible. This Bible is the first of its kind printed west of the Allegheny River and only six are said to exist. The Bible is estimated to be valued anywhere from $800 to several thousands dollars. Hoskins still has it in his possession.

The lessons that we can take away from these two stories are as follows: in the end honesty always pays off, the good deeds that you do will always come back to you and the Bible will always be a valuable tool, not only in the way of monetary value as the 19th Century one is, but also as a book with many tools to teach us how to live valuable and meaningful lives.

The main way that most people study the Bible is through their churches; however, this is a good time to put in a plug for another good organization to learn the Bible through, which is IMPACT Suffolk.

I am glad to be a part of this great organization, that continuously strives to find ways to sponsor good programs. Presently, the one being sponsored is called a 5-Day Good News Club.

I believe that it pays greater dividends when the Bible is learned at very young ages because the younger generation of today will be the leaders of tomorrow. Therefore, this club is held for five consecutive days, one hour each day, where children gather to hear Bible stories, sing songs, learn Bible verses, listen to a missionary story and hear the gospel clearly presented.

Wanda Keith, the director of Child Evangelism Fellowship, and the Rev. Russell Leonard, from the Board of Directors of IMPACT Suffolk, serve as coordinators. To date clubs have been held at the YMCA and Suffolk Pentecostal Holiness and Pleasant Union Baptist churches, and many of the clubs are taught by high school and college students. These youth, from various local churches, have had intensive training from Christian Youth in Action and CEF programs. Christian adults, who have received comparable training, also teach clubs.

The ways that churches benefit from these clubs are as follows: young people are trained to teach children; young people are challenged for full-time Christian service; children’s spiritual training is supplemented; Sunday school enrollment grows; boys and girls are evangelized where they live; and church members gain a greater vision for the lost in their community.

The next 5-Day Good News Club session will be held from 3-4 p.m. at the YMCA from Aug. 7-11.

For more information, contact Keith at 465-1329, or email her at wanda.d.keith@verizon.net

Wall is a former News-Herald reporter and regular contributor to the Town Square page.