Vanderbilt University Medical Center valet parking attendant Derege Degene was on a normal run to the garage when he spotted an envelope on the Medical Center Drive sidewalk. He could tell there was something inside and took a peek.
“I pulled the little corner of the flap up and saw $100 bills,” Degene recalled.
But he never considered keeping the money. He turned the envelope containing more than $3,000 over to the Vanderbilt University Police Department, which located its owner.
“I thought it had to belong to a patient or visitor. People come to Vanderbilt from all over and have to stay for a long time. I thought that could be their money to survive,” Degene said.
Degene, a father of three, started working with Central Parking in 2000 and was stationed at Vanderbilt beginning in 2010.
Bill Newsome, manager of Valet Parking at VUMC, said Degene’s actions are a prime example of Credo behavior.
“I wasn’t surprised to hear about what Derege did. He has always demonstrated a genuine respect for everyone. We are very proud he is on our team,” Newsome said.