As residents of NYC, the creators witnessed the extreme damage caused by Hurricane Sandy, firsthand. It didn't seem right to leave 10 thousand dollars buried in the ground so close to people who were directly affected by the storm. As the treasure hunt had been unsolved for over two years, and people nearby are still suffering, they decided to dig up the coins and donate them to charity.
They gave the $10,000 treasure to Lava Girl Surf Shop, a non-profit organization in Rockaway, Queens. They turned their storefront (located in one of the hardest hit areas of New York City) into a relief center, giving residents food, flashlights, and other basic essentials. They are even clearing out flooded basements and making sweeps of the neighborhood, bringing support to residents trapped in apartment complexes still without power. They are doing amazing, inspirational work.