CLEVELAND -- COLUMBUS, Ohio, 11:34 a.m. EDT October 12, 200 -- It's like hitting the lottery without spending any of your own money to do it.

The state of Ohio could have a check for you, sitting in some dark little vault or nook or cranny, but as NewsChannel5's Roosevelt Leftwich reports, you have to look for it to get it.

If you could walk in Joe Gorski's shoes, you'd be a very determined man. For almost two years, the spry 77-year-old spent a lot of time walking between Cleveland City Hall and probate court in the old county courthouse.

But all of the shoe leather paid off, to the tune of more than $4,000.

"A lot of people helped me out," Gorski said. "I had to do a lot of walking and trying to get (to) the bottom line, but it came out good."

The money came from an uncle who died in 1985.

Gorski and his wife were at a senior center in June 1998 when a woman showed up with her computer. She ran Gorski's uncle's name and discovered that he was listed.

The state put Gorski through a few hoops to get the money. He had to have to prove that he was entitled, and he was.

So after splitting the money with his sister and saving a bit, Gorski has big plans.

"I'd like to go back to Vegas," he said.

There are about 2 million people and corporations statewide who have a stake in more than $200 million that is just sitting there.

The funds could be from old insurance policies, utility deposits, stock dividends, former bank accounts and even tax refunds.

County Treasurer Jim Rokakis said that it's the people's money -- so why not collect it?

"There's a very good chance that their name or somebody that they know is on this list," Rokakis said. "Maybe it's a deceased relative, a neighbor or a friend."

About 1,100 people and companies in Cuyahoga County alone are owed more than $5,000 each.

Even Rokakis found about $900 from an account that his late father had.

People can check to see if their name is on the list by calling the Unclaimed Funds Hotline at (216) 443-7466. Staff members have access to the statewide database, and can look to see if you or anyone else is owed money.

If you live in Cuyahoga County, another way to see if you are on the unclaimed funds list is by visiting the county treasurer's Web site, and clicking on the unclaimed funds icon.