NYC executive gives panhandler a lot of credit

[August 14, 2010]  NEW YORK (AP) -- A New York City ad executive says she never doubted a homeless man would return the credit card she loaned him in lieu of change.

Merrie Harris says she didn't have any cash when Jay Valentine asked for some Monday, so she let him use her American Express platinum card instead.

Friends and bystanders told her she'd never see it again. But Valentine soon returned it after buying deodorant, body wash, cigarettes and water for a total of $25.

Valentine says he was surprised to be handed the card but never considered taking advantage of Harris' generosity.

He says he lost his real-estate company job a few years ago. An Internet cafe in SoHo has been letting him sleep there. That's where he ran into Harris.

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Information from: New York Post, http://www.nypost.com/

[Associated Press]

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