Still the best policy. (The Goodness of America).

Kansas residents Joe and Heidi Tomassi have two children: daughter Laney, 2, and son Griffin, 6 months. Shortly after Griffin was born last July, he was diagnosed with TAPV (Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return), a life-threatening condition in which pulmonary veins are not properly attached to the heart. He has undergone three operations, and at one point was given no more than six weeks to live. Though he is currently progressing, it will not be known for several months if the TAPV problem has been corrected.

Due primarily to Griffin's surgeries, the Tomassis fell deeply into debt. They began falling behind in rent payments, and their water and phone services were cut off.

On December 1st, Mrs. Tomassi, during her fifth day as a trainee at an Applebee's restaurant in Olathe, Kansas, found an envelope containing $3,300 in a booth. Rather than keep it, she promptly turned it over to her boss. The next day, the customer who had misplaced it (he had sold a car to have money for Christmas presents) called to claim it. Mrs. Tomassi returned it to him in person. He gave her a $100 reward.

As word of Mrs. Tomassi's honesty and her son's medical condition spread, accolades and financial support began rolling in. According to the December 20th Kansas City Star, since the story broke "cash donations totaling about $13,760 have made their way to Tomassi," and "well-wishers also have sent gift cards, books and toys for her two children."

On December 20th, Lloyd Hill, chairman and CEO of Applebee's, presented Mrs. Tomassi a check for $4,268, representing contributions from the restaurant chain's suppliers, vendors, board of directors, and employees. Hill told her: "Because of what you did, because of your spirit, because of your honor and integrity, your action resonated beyond Kansas City, beyond our region and beyond the United States."