Across Idaho, families facing some of the hardest moments of their lives are finding unexpected help this holiday season. A mystery donor, known only as the Idaho Secret Santa, is quietly giving away one million dollars to residents dealing with sudden loss, illness, and disaster.
The giving began several months ago and will continue through the end of the year. The goal is simple and deeply human. Help people who are overwhelmed, hurting, and trying to hold things together.
The donor remains anonymous, appearing only long enough to deliver life changing gifts and then step back into the background.
A Family With Conjoined Twins Receives a Lifeline
One of the first gifts went to a family caring for conjoined twins, a rare condition that occurs in roughly one out of every 50,000 births. Their daily life is filled with medical appointments, long drives, and constant care.
The Secret Santa surprised the family with a new 2025 Honda minivan and $1,000 in cash. The vehicle offers space, reliability, and peace of mind at a time when even small tasks can feel overwhelming.
A New Mother Loses Her Home Weeks After Giving Birth
For Emma, the past few months have been defined by fear and uncertainty.
Just one month after she gave birth in July, a truck ran a stop sign and crashed directly into her home. The living room was destroyed. A wall collapsed. Windows shattered. Water lines burst, flooding the first floor and basement.
Emma and her newborn were not hurt, but the home they depended on was no longer safe. The family has been displaced ever since.
When the Secret Santa arrived, Emma was given a $1,000 gas gift card and a $5,000 gift card to a housewares store to help rebuild what was lost.
“That means a lot,” Emma said through tears. “It’s been really hard. Hopefully we’ll be home before Christmas.”
A Beloved Teacher Finds Support After a House Fire
Another recipient was Megan Mabey, a teacher at Hobbs Middle School in Shelley who is widely known for her kindness, humor, and commitment to her students.
Earlier this month, a fire started in the attic of Mabey’s home, leaving it uninhabitable. Since then, her family has rotated between hotel rooms and short term rentals. They expect to be displaced for six to eight months.
The Secret Santa presented Mabey with a $5,000 check, offering financial relief during a time marked by stress and uncertainty.
“It’s been hard,” she said simply.
Quiet Acts of Kindness Across the State
The generosity does not stop there. The Secret Santa has also helped a family that adopted four children after already raising five, a man who was paralyzed following a spinal stroke, and a woman recovering from a traumatic brain injury caused by a car accident.
In every case, the gift arrives without fanfare. No speeches. No recognition. Just help, given when it is needed most.
As Christmas approaches, the Idaho Secret Santa continues to remind communities across the state that compassion still moves quietly among us. In moments of chaos, a stranger’s kindness is restoring hope, one family at a time.
