Anonymous 'Secret Santa' donors give $300K to Elkhart County non-profits

Tom McArthur (center), executive director of Church Community Services, receives a check for $100,000 from Bill Rieth (left), president/CEO of United Way of Elkhart & LaGrange Counties and Pete McCown, president of Community Foundation of Elkhart County.

ELKHART COUNTY, Ind.— Anonymous “Secret Santa” donors gave $300,000 to help the Elkhart County community's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The anonymous donors, a local businessman and his wife, made similar donations under the pseudonym “Secret Santa” in December 2009 and December 2011.

According to the Community Foundation of Elkhart County, the donation will be divided three ways between the COVID-19 Community Response Fund, Faith Mission, and Church Community Services. 

“We simply could not wait until Christmas, as the need is growing like a snowball rolling down a hill,” the donors told the Community Foundation.“Nothing would please us more than to play second fiddle, to be thought of as elves when the Santas of Elkhart County who can really make a difference step up.”

The COVID-19 Community Response fund is focusing on the areas of childcare for first responders and health care workers, food security, support for at-risk individuals, and community advocacy. 

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