Today, I volunteered at Santa’s Secret Shop at the school—a small but special program where kids bring a little money to shop for gifts for their parents and siblings. Each child is paired with a helper, mostly high school seniors, who guide them from table to table, helping them check off their lists and choose something meaningful for their families.
Among the group of seniors was one boy named Tim, surrounded mostly by girls that afternoon. His first partner was a little boy, about five years old. When they reached my table, the child excitedly picked up a two-dollar item, only to realize he had just one dollar left. Without hesitation or drawing attention, Tim quietly pulled a dollar from his wallet and slipped it into the boy’s envelope. I assumed it was his younger brother or a cousin and didn’t think much of it.
A few minutes later, Tim returned with another child—and the same thing happened. Then again with a third. This time, he opened his wallet and gently tucked several bills into a little girl’s envelope so she could buy the items she had been admiring. Every time a child asked, “Can I get this?” Tim’s answer was always the same: “Yes,” no matter how much money they had.
By the third child, my curiosity got the best of me. I asked, “Do you know her?” Tim looked surprised and shook his head. When I followed up with, “So you’re just helping all these kids… just because?” he shrugged, said nothing, opened his wallet once more, and paid for her gifts.
He never announced what he was doing or looked for recognition. He simply moved from child to child, quietly making sure each one could finish their Christmas list. The kids never even knew who helped them, so they never had the chance to say thank you. That’s why I wanted to share this story—about Tim, the quiet senior with the biggest heart, who became a secret Santa without anyone ever knowing.
