Jan 2, 2014 2 min read

Local United Ways throughout Pennsylvania, including the Greene County United Way, were highlighted by Treasurer Rob McCord’s unclaimed property program with the presentation of a check for more than $14,000 to United Way of Pennsylvania’s President Tony Ross.

While the county’s allocation was a modest $361.44, it still was appreciated.

“I was excited to receive this information, mostly because people don’t realize they can search for unclaimed property. This proves the program works.” said Barbara Wise, executive director of the Greene County United Way.

Each year, Treasury receives millions of dollars in unclaimed property – money from items such as abandoned bank accounts, forgotten stocks, uncashed checks and contents of safe deposit boxes.

“These unclaimed funds are very much needed in the budgets of human services organizations, such as the United Way, across the Commonwealth,” said United Way of Pennsylvania President Tony Ross.

People and organizations owed unclaimed property often do not realize the property has become dormant because holders are not required under state law to contact the owner before remitting it to Treasury.

The more than $14,000 the United Way system received is only a fraction of the $2.2 billion in unclaimed property the Treasury currently seeks to reunite with businesses, organizations, and citizens across the state.

“The United Way of Pennsylvania and its members work to improve lives and strengthen communities throughout our state, and I am so pleased that these funds will contribute to that important mission,” McCord said.

McCord encourages nonprofit organizations and community groups, and the people who support them, to search www.patreasury.gov or call 1-800-222-2046 from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday to find out if any of the $2.2 billion in unclaimed property Treasury currently holds belongs to them.