Idaho Secret Santa Giving Away $1 Million Including Cars to Families in Crisis
For the eleventh straight year an anonymous philanthropist in eastern Idaho is giving away $1 million to families going through hard times. And the stories are absolutely incredible.
The “Secret Santa” partners with EastIdahoNews.com to find and surprise recipients. Nominations closed December 17th but surprises will keep happening through the end of the year.
The Torres Family: Conjoined Twins Defied the Odds
One of the first gifts went to a family with conjoined twins who werent expected to survive 24 hours. Good News Network reports Callie and Carter Torres are now 8 years old.
Their medical condition requires frequent three-hour trips from Blackfoot, Idaho to Salt Lake City in a non-collapsible wheelchair. The Secret Santa surprised them with a brand new 2025 Honda minivan and $1,000 cash.
“Oh my gosh, I cant even cry right now, Im in such shock,” mother Chelsea Torres told the news outlet.
Emma: Lost Her House to a Truck
Another recipient is a new mom whose house was literally destroyed when a truck ran a stop sign and crashed into her living room. This happened one month after her baby was born in July.
The wall collapsed. Windows shattered. Water lines burst flooding the entire first floor and basement. Emma and her newborn werent hurt but theyve been displaced ever since.
Secret Santa gave her a $1,000 gas gift card and $5,000 housewares gift card to help rebuild what was lost.
How This Works
East Idaho News explains the anonymous donor is a native Idahoan who lives in the eastern part of the state. The money comes directly from him – not a program, organization or trust fund.
Readers and viewers nominate people in need. A small group close to the Secret Santa vets nominations and decides who gets what. Recipients must live in eastern Idaho.
The “elves” from East Idaho News deliver the surprises and film reactions which get posted online. Theyve been doing daily deliveries since November 1st.
Eleven Years of Giving
The Secret Santa started in 2015 with $100,000. The amount has increased every year. Total given over ten years before this season: $5.6 million.
This year alone: $1 million in cash, cars, gift cards and surprises.
The stories range from murder victims’ families getting help with funeral costs to parents of kids with serious medical conditions getting reliable transportation. Each one filmed, each one genuine.
Why This Hits Different
In a news cycle dominated by disasters and controversies and political fights… this is just a rich dude giving away money to neighbors having the worst year of their lives. No strings attached. No publicity for himself.
East Idaho News asks that people “be a Secret Santa to your neighbors and spread the joy of Christmas to everyone all year long.”
Sometimes that’s all there is to say.
