The crib and the junk drawer (or lack thereof)

Growing up we always had a "junk drawer". You know, that one drawer that gathers all the stuff in your house that has no where else to go and once a year or so you clean it out and wonder what all that crap is and how it got there. Yeah, the "junk drawer".....I don't have one of those. Probably becuase my current kitchen has a total of 3 drawers.
So, instead of gathering all my junk in a drawer I strategically place it on my "computer desk". I say it's a computer desk, but it hasn't had a computer on it for more than a year and a half. Anyways, because I can see all my crap I clean it more often.
About 6 months ago, I bought a crib from a friend. I took it apart and took it up stairs to store it until I actually needed it. In the process of taking it apart, one of those little pieces that holds the side up fell off, so I sat it on the desk where I would be sure to remember it. That's where I went wrong.
Just before Jerry came home, I decided to clean off my "computer desk". I found the little white piece and couldn't figure out what it was. I put it back, and asked Jerry when he got home. Naturally, he didn't know what it was either.
Part of me thinks I put it somewhere where I wouldn't lose it because it "looked important" but chances are I threw it away.
This wouldn't be a big deal except that you can't buy a replacement part from the manufacture anymore because of some "safety notice" or something like that. Infact, they are offering me $20 to destroy my crib.
Seriously, is there any baby product out there that hasn't been recalled? This is getting a little out of control.
Update: I found a crib on campbell yard sales for $25 and bought it.   Which can only mean that I will definitely find the part for the other crib in less than a week. ;)