Unexpected Treasure: Couple Discovers $500 During Scavenger Hunt in Liberty State Park

Hidden Treasure: New Jersey Couple Finds $500 in Scavenger Hunt

Liberty State Park, NJ — What are the odds of stumbling upon $500 during a casual day out? For Cassi Fitzgerald and her husband, James, that improbable scenario became a delightful reality when they discovered the cash hidden along the Hudson River promenade at Liberty State Park. Their ordinary afternoon transformed into an unforgettable adventure during a light-hearted scavenger hunt, as reported by the New York Post.

“We found $500!” exclaimed Cassi, in her 20s, recalling the moment they uncovered the cash during a one-hour scavenger hunt in late May. The couple was among about ten participants scouring a two-mile stretch of the park.

Meet Mr. Cash Drop

Their lucky break wasn’t mere coincidence; it was orchestrated by a man known online as “Mr. Cash Drop.” Sam, 42, a relatively new resident of New Jersey, has garnered a social media following of 125,000 by hiding cash in various locations and teasing his followers with clues.

“I just go around, hide varying sums of cash at different locations, post a video teasing where the money is, then wait for my followers to show up and find it,” Sam explained. He emphasized that the people who find the money are often genuinely grateful, sharing stories of how the cash helps them in their daily lives.

By day, Sam works as a warehouse logistics manager, but his passion project involves taping cash to boardwalk railings, hiding it under rocks, or slipping it into hedges across New Jersey’s parks. He launched this initiative in March with his girlfriend, Trina, aiming to spread joy and excitement.

“I just do this for fun because it is fun to watch these people come out and find money,” he said, opting to keep his identity somewhat private to avoid misconceptions about his wealth.

A Growing Trend

Sam is part of a burgeoning social media trend sweeping the nation, where content creators hide cash near popular landmarks, inviting followers to hunt for it. Prizes typically range from $50 to $500, with similar initiatives popping up from New York to California. Recently, the account @FindCashNY gave away $500 in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park.

For those eager to join the treasure hunts, followers can subscribe to Sam’s verified Instagram page for exclusive access to bigger cash drops, like the one Cassi and James won. However, most of Sam’s hunts are funded through local sponsorships, with small businesses contributing cash in exchange for mentions on his platforms.

Despite the sponsorships, Sam isn’t profiting from the initiative. For the Liberty State Park drop, he funded the entire $500 himself.

A Family’s Future

Once Cassi learned about the cash drop, she and James, along with their 7-month-old baby, jumped in the car and headed straight to Liberty State Park. After a competitive search, it was James, a private hitting coach for baseball and softball, who finally spotted the cash taped under a riverside railing. He posed triumphantly with the bundle of bills and a handmade “golden ticket,” with the Statue of Liberty standing tall behind him.

“I was ready to scream and shout, ‘We got it!’” Cassi laughed. “But my husband wanted to keep a low profile.” The couple plans to save the money for their child’s future, expressing gratitude for Sam’s generous act.

“It’s really cool that there are good people in the world, like Sam, who are doing kind acts like this,” Cassi added.

As for Sam, he has no plans to stop anytime soon. “I plan to do it until the fun runs out,” he said, continuing to spread joy one cash drop at a time.