Avery County, North Carolina – At first, some people were skeptical of the stranger filming in flood-ravaged Avery County. in western North Carolina this week claiming to be some kind of Santa.
Yet he persisted, approaching people in parking lots, grocery stores, and even motel rooms, where those displaced by Hurricane Helene they still take refuge three months after the devastating storm.
Every year, this anonymous, rich businessman travels the country giving away during the holidays about $100,000 in $100 bills.
The money will go to strangers and people who seek, knowing their need. Why did he do it? this secret Santa do you want to come to north carolina
“I think when people go through a tragedy, they can lose their house, all their belongings,” he told CBS News. “But what they can’t lose is hope. And maybe we can give some hope.”
Among those he sought out was Jamie Guinn. During the height of Helene, a mudslide ripped away the garage of the Avery County home where Guinn lived with his wife, Melissa.
“I grabbed her and said, ‘At least we’ve got each other,'” Jamie told CBS News. “We can fix the house.” And it couldn’t have been 10 minutes later, and I remember just crushing myself.”
A second mudslide engulfed the entire house and claimed Melissa’s life.
“You haven’t really lost him because he’s with you and smiling at you right now,” the Secret Santa told Guinn.
It’s those words of comfort, hugs and hope from a complete stranger that really seem to move people, far more than the money itself.
“That’s the gift, that you haven’t been forgotten, that we know you’re there,” said Secret Santa. “And we care.”
Secret Santa always says that kindness is the bridge between all people, a bridge that cannot be burned, bombed or washed away in a flood. It’s always there, waiting for us to meet.
