Jewelry store plays Santa

(CNN) - In an attempt to give back, a local jewelry store said it has planted more than $1,000 shiny gold boxes filled with jewelry from Stevens Point all the way up to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

"We share happy moments with our customers all the time, and this is a way to share happy moments with our customers that haven't been in here before," said Rachel Saukko, Wichersham Jewelers .

For people like Patricia Pagac, it was a surprise that could not have come at a better time. What Pagac found in one of those little gold boxes was more than just a piece of jewelry, it was a welcome diversion when facing a very tough disease. She was diagnosed with breast cancer earlier in 2009, and Pagac found the trinket while waiting for treatment.

"The radiation was pretty grueling because it was everyday, Monday through Friday for six weeks," said Pagac.

The store said Pagac's story is proof the program called "Finders Keeper" is worth it.

"This is just one way to remind people there's a reason to smile," said Saukko.

With hundreds of boxes still undiscovered, more smiles and a little bit of hope will likely be on their way to more people.

The jeweler said employees and volunteers helped hide the boxes in places like hospitals and other public buildings.