March 24, 2022
In the mad dash to get through security and on to their gate, it’s not uncommon for travelers to leave something behind. The Lost & Found team at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) works diligently to reunite left-behind items with their rightful owners when some form of identification is attached. One item that can easily get lost in the shuffle is gift cards. When possible, staff traces gift cards to their rightful owner, but that isn’t always possible. Until recently, gift cards with no owner information sat in the Lost & Found office unused.
Now these unclaimed gift cards will help students through a partnership between the Port of Seattle and the Highline School District. The gift cards can be used by students in need and their families to purchase food, clothing, school supplies, and other needed items.
“Through our Highline Schools Foundation, we are able to get these resources into the hands of families who need help with basic needs. This support makes a tremendous difference for kids’ well-being and readiness to learn. We are grateful to the Port of Seattle for supporting our students this way,” said Scott Logan, Chief Operations Officer.
Following the trail
When the Lost & Found team receives a gift card left behind by a passenger, they begin investigating to find any information that can help reunite the card with its rightful owner, including connecting with the gift card vendor and searching social media.
“The Lost & Found is an incredible service to customers,” Jim Peterson, SEA Senior Manager, Customer Experience and Communication. “We all know how we feel when we lose something; we’re in panic mode. We have a great recovery rate but there are times that we have tried and can’t reach the rightful owner. Now we know these gift cards are going to good use to benefit those who live in our community.”
Supporting our neighbors
Peterson said working with Highline School District is really a win-win for the Port and ensures that gift cards are given to those who need them.
“These are unclaimed items that have no home. The Highline School District is an organization with a long history of working to help those who live in our community. It’s been a very good partnership, so we were pleased to see this opportunity.”
The first official transfer of gift cards took place last summer and has continued on an ongoing basis as needed.
“It’s nice to give back to our neighbors, to those in close proximity of the airport. Not everyone is equal in their ability to put food on the table, and Highline is using their discretion to distribute the gift cards as they see the need,” Peterson said.
