Anonymous Gift Giving Embodies the Spirit of Santa

MARION - In the middle of the day, as Christmas approaches, Santa Claus walks unnoticed and virtually invisible through the front door of a Cedar Rapids hospital. He carries a sack full of gifts and the joy of the season in his heart.

A nurse leads him, dressed as you or I might dress, from room to room where sick children wish, more than anything, to be home for Christmas. To see the brightly wrapped presents under the tree. To know that Santa Claus remembers them.

In one room, the man reaches into his sack. He pulls out a doll for the little girl to cradle in her arms. He hands a letter to the parents.

"Merry Christmas," he says to the smiling girl. "I hope you like this doll."

"Merry Christmas," he says to misty-eyed parents. "I pray that your child will get better."

In a moment he is gone.

For yes, there is a Santa Claus. And he resides in the hearts of people who give anonymously and unselfishly, especially this time of year.

"I do it in memory of my mother," says this Mr. Anonymous who lives in Marion. "She was the most wonderful, decent, sweetest woman I ever knew," he says.

Almost 20 years ago, as she lay dying in a hospital, he gave her a doll she had dreamed about owning for years.

"I'll never forget the look on her face," says this son who would give his mother a final kiss goodbye less than two months later.

Yes, we've heard about the anonymous Santas and Mrs. Clauses this year. Across the country, they've paid off Kmart layaway items. They've left food at the doorsteps of homeless shelters. They've dropped valuable coins and diamond engagement rings in Salvation Army red kettles.

In his comfortable Marion home, one with tall ceilings and a fireplace and family photographs on the walls, this local Mr. Anonymous tells his story.

"I've always thought it was the most selfless act," he says. "When you want nothing in return."

In his 60s, he fondly recalls growing up in the South where his father was a successful farmer. He would grow up to be successful, too, in finance, the media, as a college educator. But he'd always remember a newspaper story about a man who gave anonymously to charities. And he would never forget watching television episodes of "The Lone Ranger."

Every week, after completing his good deed, the Lone Ranger rode off into the sunset followed by the phrase, "Who was that masked man?"

For 17 years Mr. Anonymous has contacted officials at St. Luke's and Mercy in Cedar Rapids about children who will be in the hospital during Christmas. He spends $200 to $300 shopping and makes the rounds.

"Nobody," he says, "recognizes me. Nobody knows who I am."

Not even his family, who will learn about this upon his death with the hope that it inspires them to pay it forward.

"If we all gave more to people in need without recognition, we'd all be better off," Mr. Anonymous says. "I would hope somebody would read this and say, doggone it, that's something I ought to do."

Mr. Anonymous smiles.

"I've gotten my reward," he says. "Oh, my goodness, I've gotten my reward."

It is, he knows, that same contented feeling that swells the heart of every Santa Claus.

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