The "hidden cash" Twitter craze that popped up in Chicago's Millennium Park this weekend made its way to North Avenue Beach on Monday.
Anonymous benefactor and San Francisco real estate investor Jason Buzi, who started the Twitter handle @HiddenCash, made his way to various cities over the weekend, dropping money-filled envelopes around New York and Houston.
Just after 11 a.m. on Monday, he tweeted a clue about envelopes stashed at the North Side beach.
Chicago: Just north of Castaways on North Ave. Beach. Well hidden. Clues to exact placements coming... Go. Be nice. Tweet photo. Pay forward — Hidden Cash (@HiddenCash) June 16, 2014
Within minutes, about 20 people were spotted searching the beach for the envelopes. One woman found one with $60 inside and said she plans to pay it forward. By noon, another envelope with $60 was found.
Castaways: 1. Lifeguard tower 2. Under a door 3. Between recycle bins 4. Under beach chair 5. Inside welcome sign — Hidden Cash (@HiddenCash) June 16, 2014
We found free money ^_^ @HiddenCash pic.twitter.com/pXsnU1INAn — Jezz Buluran (@jbuluran92) June 16, 2014
Local
.@HiddenCash another found! At lifeguard guard station pic.twitter.com/yajBrowKyM — Scott R Miller (@ScottRMiller) June 16, 2014
After word spread Sunday that cash was hidden in envelopes around Millennium Park, city residents flocked to find it.
Fernando Fernandez spent his morning searching for the hidden money and his hunt eventually paid off when he found an enveloped tucked underneath a bench.
"I found $60 from Hidden Cash on Twitter," he told NBC Chicago. "It's been a great time. It's fun, really fun."
Fernandez said he has been following the movement since it first gained popularity on the West Coast.
Employees working in the area said they were surprised by the scavenger hunt.
"We came to work and were setting up the concession stands and a man was screaming he was happy, really, really, happy," said Park Grill Concessions employee Cyara Tanon. "We went to go see what it was and he picked up an envelope and then he pulled out the money."
Tanon said the man found the envelope on a set of stairs.
"It looked like a lot," she said. "Big bills."
But not everyone was quite as lucky.
"We've been looking for like an hour," said Sydney Lenzini. "It's getting a little annoying, but it's money."
