It's been more than 23 years since a mystery woman on an airplane gave them an envelope with $100. CNN covered the quest to find the stranger and say thanks, but they hadn't been reunited in person -- until now.
She's been waiting for this day for decades.It's been more than 23 years since a stranger on an airplane gave Zugay and her sister an envelope with $100 in it that would change their lives.featured Zugay's quest to find the woman and thank her.
Zugay and Contino hide themselves behind a Christmas tree covered with gleaming gold ornaments, hoping to surprise Peck when she arrives. On May 31, 1999, Peck was in her late 40s and had just finished a dream vacation watching the French Open with friends. "To the girls from Yugoslavia --" her note on the outside of the envelope began."I am so sorry that the bombing of your country has caused your family any problems. I hope your stay in America will be a safe and happy one for you — Welcome to America — please use this to help you here. A friend from the plane — TRACY".
It's in remarkably good condition, with no major wrinkles or tears. Zugay keeps it with her important documents and has tried hard to protect it.Peck says she's amazed Zugay kept searching when so many others would have given up. "It's been really beautiful to be able to elevate the message of welcoming people, and encouraging people to be kind," she says."You don't have to be a wealthy philanthropist; you don't have to be somebody who has a lot of power. You can be an average person, and you can have an incredible impact on somebody's life.
A CNN story helped two sisters from the former Yugoslavia find the mystery woman who gave them a life-changing gift on an airplane 23 years ago.But while most responses have been positive, a few negative emails have also made their way to her inbox."That's why I do the work I do," she says."The goal is for everybody here to feel belonging and welcome and to thrive."
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