$10K donation from 'Secret Santa' will buy gifts for Leech Elementary students

An unexpected letter delivered this week to David Leech Elementary Principal David Keibler brought him to tears.

The two-page, handwritten note from a man wishing to remain anonymous included a check for $10,000 with instructions that the money be used to provide every Leechburg Area student in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade with a Christmas gift.

That means 319 students in Leechburg will benefit from one person’s generosity.

“I was brought to tears and was surprised,” Keibler said. “What a great life lesson this is for our students to understand how individual acts of kindness can impact the lives of individuals in our community.”

Keibler contacted the donor to thank him and discuss how the gifts would be purchased and delivered.

“This anonymous donor said he didn’t want any child in the elementary school to slip through the cracks and not have a Christmas gift,” Keibler said.

Each student will have the opportunity to purchase a gift of up to $30.00 through Amazon Prime. Students are scheduled to receive their gifts at school on Dec. 19.

News of the secret Santa spread quickly in the hallways and students used their school-issued Chromebooks to shop on Amazon Prime.

“My brother in first-grade screamed when he heard the news,” said third-grader Bianca Linkes. “I want to say thanks to the secret Santa and I’m so excited. I’m buying an American Girl school play set.”

Third-grader Olivia Hill said she didn’t even know what a secret Santa was until this week.

“I’m ordering art supplies because art is my favorite thing,” Hill said.

Leechburg Area Superintendent Tiffany Nix called the donation “inspiring.”

“This is truly a Christmas miracle. This angel donated $10,000 to kids in which he has no connection. His generosity and heart is breathtaking. He’s an inspiration to all of us to be selfless and kind,” Nix said.

Isabella Foley, a fourth-grader, was inspired by the gesture and has decided to pay it forward.

“It was very nice of them to give our school $10,000,” Foley said. “I don’t really want a gift because there are other kids that don’t have much and I don’t need anything because I have a lot already.”

Isabella’s mom Tracy Schaeffer of Leechburg said the generosity of a stranger is a teachable moment for all.

“A little bit of kindness goes a long way. All of the kids have to be loving this and maybe, just maybe, it will make them think how good it made them feel and they will learn a kindness lesson from this.”

Keibler said any remaining money will be placed in an existing district fund designated to help students in need.