(Editorial - Graphic Illustration - MetroCreativeConnection)

State Treasurer Larry Pack regularly announces instances of unclaimed property funds being returned to West Virginians. The idea surely is to inspire more people to check whether there is money owed to them, as the state is sitting on more than $536 million that should be in someone else’s hands.

A particularly dazzling example was unveiled this week, as Pack’s office was able to return more than $354,000 in unclaimed property to Vandalia Health Inc.

“We are grateful the Treasurer found this significant amount of unclaimed funds,” said Dave Ramsey, president and CEO of Vandalia Health. “It costs Vandalia Health’s 17 hospitals and 220 clinics more than $7 million a day just to keep the doors open, the lights on and be ready for patients. Finding this money is a very pleasant surprise.”

In Vandalia’s case, the $354,125.26 came from miscellaneous payments totaling 1,151 properties.

There is so much more to be returned.

“We have over $500 million that belong to the people and businesses of West Virginia,” Pack said. “We encourage individuals and other organizations to keep checking our unclaimed property database to see if some of it belongs to you.”

If Vandalia’s experience has inspired you to do so, go to www.WVUnclaimedProperty.gov. While chances are lower that you’ll hit a homerun like Vandalia did, it’s still worth finding out whether you can put a little money back in your own pocket.