Beloved “Secret Santa” delivers $3,000 to make Christmas merrier for children in need served by the Easterseals Rehabilitation Center and Early Learning Center.
Pete’s donations since 1990 have now surpassed $100,000.
“Hi! It’s your old buddy Pete!” Those were the first words in a phone call to the Easterseals Rehabilitation Center just after noon on Monday, Nov. 29. The caller was a beloved anonymous benefactor who calls himself “Pete” and has now made 41 generous donations to Easterseals since 1990. Pete said that he had just delivered a gift, and told Easterseals staff to hurry and look for his donation on the chain link fence behind the nonprofit organization’s headquarters at 3701 Bellemeade Avenue in Evansville.
A group of staff members followed Pete’s directions and found a festive gift bag hanging on the fence. Inside was a holiday decoration, shaped like a Christmas tree, with bulbs that light up as it plays holiday music. Tucked in between the bulbs were 30 tightly rolled one-hundred-dollar bills, making a total donation of $3,000. Photos and videos are available at this link: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1-KgLbQ4PyfvvSml_tlfmT8p_eQ156XdX?usp=sharing
Again this year—like so many years before—Pete stressed that his donation should be used to provide gifts to children with disabilities from disadvantaged families served by the Easterseals Rehabilitation Center and Easterseals Early Learning Center. Now the organization’s therapists, teachers, and other staff will gladly act as Pete’s elves, purchasing and delivering presents from Pete for young clients and their siblings who would otherwise have a meager holiday.
Easterseals employees do not know the identity of their mysterious gift-giver, who has always referred to himself as “Pete.” Including this most recent delivery, Pete’s contributions over the past 31 years now total $100,450. All of Pete’s contributions have been designated to fill the needs of local children with disabilities. This “secret Santa’s” donations have always arrived in the form of hundred-dollar bills delivered in fun, creative ways. As usual, accompanying Pete’s latest delivery was a hand-written note with the words “You will hear from me again. Pete”
Through the years, Pete’s giving spirit has inspired many other individuals, groups, and companies to join the effort and “adopt” several children and families each holiday season. Thanks to Pete and the community’s generosity, almost 150 children served by Easterseals are expected to receive assistance this year, with gifts ranging from toys and games to socks and winter coats.
Easterseals invites the community to share Pete’s giving spirit by enjoying Ritzy’s Fantasy of Lights in Evansville’s Garvin Park nightly through Jan. 1. All proceeds from the drive-through light show provide inclusive early education and essential therapy services, empowering Tri-State children and adults with disabilities to achieve their own unique goals and dreams.
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