A Secret Santa surprises a stunned grandmother who walks everywhere & is raising two grandchildren
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 10 พ.ย. 2023
- #eastidahonews #secretsanta #surprise
The EastIdahoNews.com team is busy helping a local Secret Santa give $1 million to deserving people in eastern Idaho this holiday season.
Meri has spent countless hours volunteering and helping others in our community, especially if it involves the youth. Over the years, she has received many awards for her volunteerism in the community. She was named Idaho Falls Citizen of the Year, Eight Who Make a Difference, Grand Marshall of the 4th of July parade, JC Penney Golden Rule award and others.
She is now 70 years old, widowed and retired on a limited income. In her retirement, she is raising two of her grandchildren ages 7 and 13.
About a month ago, the timing chain on her car went out, ruining the engine and making it unrepairable. It was her only mode of transportation. Now, she either walks or tries to borrow a car to go to the store and to get the youngest grandchild to and from school. She also has to get rides or walks to get the girls to their counseling appointments, school meetings, activities, and other appointments. Two weeks ago, the youngest was ill and at 11 p.m., she walked to the store to get her some 7Up to try and make her feel better.
Meri has always tried to be self-sufficient, even delivering food for DoorDash when she had a car and needed extra money to make ends meet.
Secret Santa asked if we could pay Mari a visit and surprise her with an early Christmas gift. Watch the video in the player above to see how it turned out!
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Grandmother works more than most adults that i know. remarkable bless her
I have one elder left in my life. I am in my mid fifties and an do not want to be the elder. You are 1000% correct. Bless her
AMEN!!
amen
I love Mary! I bet she is a great neighbor too. Her Granddaughters are so lucky to have her. Merry Christmas Mary!
This made me cry! I just lost my last surviving grandparent and I miss her! such a beautiful video though 😭
63 year old man sitting with tears in my eyes for that wonderful woman's struggle, and what you did for her. Don't ever stop doing this.
Me too !
I am 65 got the same problem
68 here and the same thing! how wonderful this is for her. Bravo Secret Santa
69 year old doing just the same.
77 here w/tears also.
This is One of Most Emotional Secret Santa Surprises Ever!!!!!! Not Too Much Ppl Think About Grandparents Anymore. 😔
not in the Usa anyway.
Alainn........It can be Anywhere in The World. U.S.A is One of The Most Greatest & The Most Generous Countries in The World. Unfortunately Our Own Country Don't Take Care of the U.S.A First!!!!!! They are Busy Helping Other Countries that Don't Care About The U.S.A!!!!! & It Depends on The Parents Upbringing.
@@AlainnCorcaighDon't generalize an entire country based on your cynicism and personal anecdotes.
Sadly, this is true
So many grandparents raising grandkids 😭❤️
I am the granddaughter of an amazing woman who raised me from toddlerhood to teen years...She saved me, and I am crying because I'm so moved by what this loving, selfless woman is doing for her granddaughters.
I truly believe there's a special place on the other side for family members who step in to raise children who wouldve been otherwise neglected.
This gift couldn't possibly have gone to a more worthy individual. ❤
❤👵
My grandma helped raise me too.
Trust me as a Grandmother raising her Granddaughter since she was nine days old,she's now about to be five you were her biggest blessing!You love your children,but when you become a Grandma it's a love even deeper.Theres a love and bond there for you that's unexplainable!
Well said 😢❤
Brought me too tears…😢❤😢 Thanku for helping this beautiful gramma… what a kind soul…❤😢❤
I am not sure anyone can watch this without crying. It’s clear she has a heart of gold. What an amazing and deserving person. Thank you Secret Santa! ❤
I’m an old man and my eyes were leaking
Yep, same here and Nathan had the right words to tell her, so emotional ❤🥲🙏
Not me , anyway. I wish her safe travels from the other side of earth. NZ.
@@barba5537 That’s ok, and it is kind of you to wish her well. 💕
I watched this twice and cried both times. I’m so happy for her.
When she said it’s what any grandmother would do…I almost lost it. Such a sweet woman.
It's not what any grandma would do. It's what a loving grandparent would do. This one was a great Secret Santa. And there's so much more to come. I love to cry happy tears it's refreshing for my soul.
Right there with you! 🥂😂👍🏼💝
From one grandma who raised 2 grandsons to you, you are God's gift to your grandchildren. God bless you forever
From a grandmother named Mary, who also raised a grandchild, God bless you, Mary.
She kept bringing up her girls even though they are not there you can tell she wanted to share that moment with her loved ones. She is amazing!
Okay, I need a part two on this one!! I would absolutely love to see her as she shows the kids the car. That's something I would love to see.
As I watched this it's like I could see the weight immediately lifted off of her shoulders....... like physically. She took a deep breath and actually stood up a little bit straighter. That sense of being able to finally take a breath because you know everything's going to be okay. What a precious soul she is and I'm so thankful for secret Santa and for Nate and all of the team. Thank you so much for all that you do
I know. I was hoping Nate would have stuck around until they did
Wow!!! "..sometimes things need to be broken before they are fixed " priceless wisdom, what a sincere heartfelt humbling reaction ❤
What a wonderful woman. So dignified, strong willed and full of love.
Gave me chills watching this one. What a wonderful grandmother! Many years ago I was raising 4 children (only one was mine, one was my nephew and two others were a friends children that she couldn't take care of), my disabled sister and cousin lived with me as well and our vehicle caught fire. I had to walk everywhere when I couldn't find a ride. I would dig out the old baby stroller and would walk the 5 miles or so to the closest grocery store and use the stroller to bring back groceries when I couldn't find a ride. I was finally able to purchase a vehicle at a police auction for a mere $500. The car was worth about $3500. One of my neighbors paid for the registration and a year's worth of liability insurance. It was a true blessing! God bless her and her granddaughter's!
Ok. This one made me cry. I'm a 70 year old widow helping raise a grandchild. He's 21 in a few days. God Bless you Secret Santa and God has already blessed this lovely lady.
2:06 "There's nothing special about me", says the worlds nicest lady while wearing her pink sweater with a cat's face on it. 😅👏 I guarantee her grandkids know how special she is. They're very fortunate to have her as a wonderful role-model. 💪❤️🖖🙏
That was such a good one. She was so overwhelmed and trembling but so appreciative. I only wish someone could record her grandkids' reactions when they saw it and found out and sent that in.
Thank you, Secret Santa, and EIN!
I was thinking the same thing
We love you secret Santa❤
Worthy recipient! So so glad you gave her a car. I can only imagine how relieved she is after receiving both gifts…. Beautiful story
The world needs more news like this, and more people like Mary.
Bless her heart! 70 years, raising her granddaughters, ones only seven... I can't imagine. Hope she'll be around for as long as THOSE GIRLS NEED HER!!
Grandparents are the absolute best! My grandparents raised me and my sisters and cousins. The best people ever
I also am 70 and this touched me a great deal. I can't imagine having to do all she does. Such a beautiful attitude. Blessings on her.
Yes strong lady 😮😢💖😘
Tough and tender. Great job grandma!
I love this!! Beautiful story and well deserved💗
Thank you Secret Santa, Thank you East Idaho News....Thank you for being a special person Mary.
Did y’all catch that she is raising a 7 year old!!!! God Bless her
@@joycef8443 2 girls.
This very special woman got a well-deserved gift from a loving person, delivered by other kind and giving people. Don't you want to just hug them all? Secret Santa stories remind me that among our friends, neighbors, coworkers, etc. are many very kind and generous people, often in ways no one else ever sees.
Granny truly deserves the car, gifts.
Awww Nate! "There's a lot special about you"! What a nice thing to say to someone.
"It's what any grandmother would do" she says - sadly thats not so in the world today but she is an awesome example to her 2 granddaughters and I hope they have a lovely thanksgiving together xx
Was super sweet how she was calling her grandkids my kids. She sees them as her own kids now. Loved how she was saying how happy they will be about having a car now.
🥰 Yes! I was wishing the kids were there, so we could see how excited/happy they were! 🥰
This is so beautiful!
Every year, I wait for EIN and Secret Santa. I cry with joy along with the recipients. Thank you, Secret Santa! Many blessings Mary!
I look forward to these videos so much!!! ❤️
I do too ! 👏👏👏
My favorite time of day is midnight when it's Secret Santa season!
God bless you Mary ❤
I think God just has. He always see our good deeds like her taking her grandchildren and giving them a loving home grandma's. Oh yes and secret Santa's.
We ALL LOVE YOU, Meri. You are a deeply wonderful person!!!!!!!!!!!!! ❤❤❤
Wow! What a lovely grandmother! I loved it when she says "my girls" about the granddaughters! They will be so happy and proud of her. She is a lovely example of love, stability, and caring for children is all about. Plus, her kitty sweatshirt shows how much fun she must be, too! peace
Meri is so deserving of this. She is a very special lady! ❤
The fact that she said there was nothing special about her shows how special she really is.
My only comment this time is... WOW!!
Such a humble lady and so deserving merry Christmas
My best friend is raising 2 out of 5 grandbabies instead of being able to retire their ages are 3 & 13 both are autistic. This makes her an absolute angel 🥰 she struggles at times but she’s doing it. This beautiful lady has stepped up in her retirement and taken on young kids so this also makes her an incredible Nana 🥰🥰
Wow!! Praying for your friend!! 🙏❤️
This was so touching,warmed my heart, tears in my eyes.God bless this dear lady ,and who ever was so kind to do this for her.
As someone who was raised by their great-grandmother, this was especially moving for me. Grandparents her second to none what an amazing lady!
Thanks once more to the Secret Santa and all involved. Merry Christmas!
You just want to hug her. Granny’s are the absolute best. Miss mine!♥️😭
Same here. 😭
The relationship between grandparents and grandkids is usually very strong, there's a special bond between them and I understand why the granny here is committed to raising her grandkids. God bless her to see them grow and be independent.
The old joke says that grandparents have a special bond with grandchildren because they are united against a common enemy.
Couldn't have gone to a more deserving grandma ❤️ God bless you Secret Santa
YAY!
Thank you Secret Santa for helping this precious family.
God bless ya'll!
What a granny. 💕 from a granny in South Africa 🇿🇦
I'm always touched by how many Secret Santa gift recipients insist they are nothing special or that others deserve help more. I think that's a true sign of a giving heart. Bless this Grandma!
I am so happy for her!!❤
Mary is precious. So humble. The way her hand shook when she saw the key almost made me cry.
I’m a senior raising a grandchild. Bless this grandma for stepping up and thank you so much for helping her! ❤️
“ I have to tell you a funny story” what an inspiration she is❤
How can you not cry watching these - I’m crying for her and her grand daughters - what a blessing- God is great and secret Santa is great . So many giving people in this world . ❤
A very special grandmother.
What a humble and loving woman! All she could talk about was 'her girls' being so excited. Oh my! She IS somebody special! ❤❤❤
THANK you for this from Hamburg, Germany! I LOVE when good things happen to good people ! Please never stop doing this !
I love this story! She deserves the world for raising her grandchildren and what is so touching was when she said about the car “her girls are gonna love this”…still so selfless…amazing person!
She is one beautiful lady. She's beautiful inside & out. I'm so glad she's no longer going to have to walk in the cold any longer. Living on a fixed income is hard enough without the extra added costs associated with raising 2 kids. I would love to hug her if I could. If more people were like her the world would be a better place ❤ Thank you, Secret Santa 🎅 🧑🎄 We love you from all over the world 🌎 ❤️🍎🗽🇺🇸
She has a big ❤. She only thinks to her granddaughters. Beautiful soul.
This one really touched my heart ❤️! She acted so modestly, but deserves that car as much as anyone! 😢
Nice work East Idaho News!
Mary just wanting her girls to be happy the whole time. I miss my grandmother so much
What a blessing for this lady and her family!!!
Thank you Secret Santa! I cried along with her!! ❤️ Most of all these bits brings tears to my eyes, But this one tears were streaming!! It is a wonderful world!! 🎶🎵
Caring for my autistic niece. Became a parent at 62. She's 26 going on 5. Almost 70 and wouldn't change. ❤😊
Grandma’s are the True Heroes in our Lives. 👍🙏
I look forward to these Secret Santa videos all year. It just sucks that i have to wait till the end of a terrible year to finally get my spirits up... It always feels good to see these videos! Thank You Secret Santa and East Idaho News!
Oh, this is a perfect gift for her and her granddaughters! Thank you so much Secret Santa! Blessings to all!
My wife and I adopted our two grandchildren and have been since they were under a year old(there 10 months apart) and now are 15 and 16 y/o. Both are the miracle of our lives and doing so well in school. This one got to me.
Secret Santa,EIN and all others valuable person precious work always and Love from Bharat (India) 🇮🇳
Wonderful. Thank you secret santa for the relief and joy you give to people. Love from Cape Town.
Love you, Nate and EIN! Mary, you so deserve this! 😍🇨🇦
"There's nothing special about me." - - -one of the greatest understatements of 2023.
Hugs are always welcome, that type of compassion is what the world needs.
Pretty in pink and tickled pink. Wonderful gift for such a deserving lady. Thank you secret santa from here in the UK x
Than you Secret Santa, Nate and EIN. I love how she refers to her granddaughters as her “girls”. Bless her and protect her and the girls. 🙏❤️
Grandmas Rule and so does Secret Santa and Nate and his helpers. Thank You.
Many blessings to Secret Santa 🫶. In JESUS name our Lord 🙏👑
Greetings from Switzerland 🇨🇭
Oh my, she was so excited when she saw the key. She was literally trembling. Secret Santa, you really knocked it out of the park with this one. The grandkids saying they could rent a u-haul. Just wait until they see the new car. Thank you so much Secret Santa for easing the burden for this incredible grandma. Thank you, Nate and helpers, for seeing to it the gifts get delivered. ❤🎅
How lovely! And what a deserving Grandma! I am thrilled for her and her grandkids. God bless you for helping this loving, caring hardworking woman out in her time of need. It's what Jesus would have done. 💗
You could tell what type of person she is within the first minute of this video. Those girls are so lucky they have her as a grandma and this couldn't have happened to a better person. ❤
There should be more people like Mary in this world
The people most deserving, are usually the ones that think they are least deserving. I like it when Secret Santa proves them wrong.
Agreed!!! 😭
Correction. It’s not what any grandma would or could do. She’s amazing!!!
She definitely deserves it! 💛💙
Secret Santa you are amazing, you feel my heart with such joy watching the stories of the people who lives you touch
What a beautiful woman. Her words of wisdom and expression of true love are so needed right now “It’s what any grandmother would do and sometime things need to get broken before then can get fixed”
WHAT A SWEETHEART
Absolutely Beautiful……….. I Absolutely Love The Way You Guys And Secret Santa Helps These Beautiful People That Deserve The Best…….THANK YOU ALL FROM AUSTRALIA 💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕
Merry Christmas Mary❤❤❤May you have a warm and beautiful holiday season🎄🎄🎄 Aloha from Hilo, Hawaiʻi🌺
These are the kind of things that make grown men tear up. Whoever is behind these ("Secret Santa") deserves a long and fruitful life. And the fellow who presents the gifts could not be improved upon.
What an amazing woman and how everything every thought was about “her girls” God bless the secret santa for helping fix what got “broken first”
Thank you for blessing Mary Secret Santa. I think she's going to have a very Merry Christmas!!
Another one that brought water to my eyes!! Watching from Poland.
' There's nothing special about me '
Yes !I There IS !!
This Canadian woman is in a puddle of tears for this precious lady. Merry Christmas, sweetheart. I know what it's it like, I'm so happy for her.❤
God bless you Secret Santa!
Every year I watch these episodes...I write the same comment.....God bless secret santa and may he continue to bless him with immense health to continue to do this.