Collectable cards find funds disaster relief

A man donated $10,000 to Texans on Mission after profiting off rare trading cards he found in a dumpster 25 years ago.

In 1999, Jack—whose identity is being limited to maintain his privacy—found a sheet of first-edition holographic Magic: The Gathering game cards, some of the first of these cards printed in the United States.

Twenty-four years after Jack made his find, he had the cards appraised, when all of his emergency funds were stolen from his van in spring 2023.

“All my life I’ve never had much, and I don’t care, because I’m happy,” Jack said.

But after the robbery, Jack said to God, “In all of your vast array of stuff, I’m sure you can find a little nugget for me, if you want to.”

A year later, Jack sold two of the cards and discovered the “little nugget” he spoke to God about.

In gratitude for his unexpected windfall, Jack felt led to donate some of his earnings to help others in need.

“I told God I’m going to try to be right with the money,” Jack said.

“You guys [Texans on Mission] are doing the right kind of stuff.”

A Texans on Mission Facebook post noted the organization was “more than grateful for Jack’s generosity.

“He has reminded us that when we let go and trust God, anything is possible. Even things like finding rare sheets of Magic: The Gathering cards worth way more than you’d expect!”

According to toy and game company Hasbro, Magic: The Gathering was created in 1993 and is played by more than 50 million players globally, with 13 million registered digital players.

Currently, the most valuable Magic: The Gathering card is called “The One Ring.” The card, printed in the elvish language created by J.R.R. Tolkien in Lord of the Rings, sold for $2.64 million.

With additional reporting by Calli Keener.