Secret Santas: Top Stories Of Generous Anonymous Holiday Donations (SLIDESHOW)

It's not just office parties and weekend gatherings where you'll find Secret Santas these days.

Across the country, anonymous donors are going beyond simple random acts of kindness, making a real difference in the lives of people in need. With recent reports of an increase in the number of low-income and poor families, it may be that these gestures of generosity come at a time when they're needed most.

Check out the top stories of anonymous giving this holiday season, ranging from a $10,000 gift for a Stage Four cancer patient to a motel stay for a would-be homeless family.

SLIDESHOW:

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Comments

[Samantha Anderson]

10:18 AM on 01/02/2012

This happened to me this year too! About a week before Christmas I went outside to go to work and I found a ham, a large fruit basket and a box of cookies sitting on my front porch. No note, no idea who left them. Then again on Christmas Eve I found 8 gifts for each of my 2 children, marked with their name from Santa. I just wish I could thank them!

[Shelley Nomad Chef]

04:16 AM on 12/22/2011

I have my own store of the amazing generosity of strangers. 1 month ago I started a Kickstarter campaign to raise money for the final editing of my film, "In His Footsteps." It is the story of my journey the last three years after my 32 year old son and only child died. The feature length film has cost me the bulk of my savings. I cannot finance the rest. Someone suggested Kickstarter. I was far from my target goal 2 days ago but suddenly strangers (and friends) started stepping up, and now I am within striking distance of the goal. If I don't raise the full amount, then I don't get to keep what I've collected so far (Kickstarter rules). I am humbled by people's generosity and moved by the kind words and encouragement of strangers.

I made the film I would have wanted to see 3 years ago, and 2 years ago and 1 year ago, and even today. I needed to see there might be a time when I felt life was again worth living. I took a road trip and this is the story of the transformation of my grief.

I still need a secret Santa and have 20 hours more to find some. But I felt the mystery and love of strangers during this campaign and wanted to share it with these stories.

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/553502177/in-his-footsteps

[JulieDole]

04:06 AM on 12/22/2011

My dad did this for me one year, when I was in high school. My parents were divorced, and I worked at part-time, after school. I had a corduroy jacket on layaway where I worked, and still owed money on it. I hoped to get it in time for Christmas. But when I went to pay on it, the manager told me it had been shipped to their Phillipsburg store by mistake - they were all in on it!

Boy was my dad pleased when I opened his gift to me, and found that corduroy jacket inside! That was such a sweet thing to do. I wore that jacket for years!

[juicybrisket]

10:42 PM on 12/21/2011

some random person gifted me $10 to use on restaurant.com

it was a nice little surprise in my inbox :)

[grainysmith]

10:29 PM on 12/21/2011

Stories like this help me keep my faith in humanity and then I have to read the post below.

[ABQ-Mike]

08:49 PM on 12/21/2011

Odds are, that these generous donations were made by Republicans who, history has shown, tend to be more giving from their hearts and pockets than Democrats across all financial strata. Incidentally, Republicans are also more generous in donating their own time to worthy causes as well as donating blood.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/21/opinion/21kristof.html?_r=2

[anothervoice2]

10:25 PM on 12/21/2011

What a holiday spirit, bringing in partisan nonsense to a story about human generosity! BTW, very much doubt any of these generous Santas are Repubs. The GOTP looks down on the poor. We have seen the TP signs and heard the GOTP rhetoric.

[battlinbob]

10:53 PM on 12/21/2011

Reps donate for the cause... Dems donate for the recognition...

[ABQ-Mike]

08:03 AM on 12/22/2011

Don't believe the Dem propaganda. Facts say otherwise. Dems are only generous with other people's money, when it comes to reaching into their own pockets, they suddenly have very short arms.

[grainysmith]

10:29 PM on 12/21/2011

Wow. Both democrats and Republicans give to charities.

Way to diminish a very nice story.

[ABQ-Mike]

07:58 AM on 12/22/2011

Hey. The facts are the facts.
Just sayin'.