Elkhart, IN — An anonymous Secret Santa donor has made the holiday season brighter by providing Crossroads United Way of Elkhart, LaGrange, and Noble Counties with a remarkable $100,000 donation. The funds are being distributed to five Elkhart County churches—College Mennonite Church, Elkhart Community Church, Grace Community Church, St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, and Trinity Methodist on Jackson—with each church receiving $20,000 to empower their members to perform random acts of kindness.
Each participating church has been tasked with selecting 80 families from their congregation in any manner they choose. Each family will receive $250 in cash to use for acts of kindness, offering aid and goodwill to those in greater need. The goal is to reach individuals who may be overlooked by traditional support systems, fostering a spirit of generosity and connection throughout the community.
To celebrate the impact of this initiative, the churches will host gatherings in early January, where the 80 participating families will share stories of their acts of kindness. These heartfelt narratives aim to inspire hope, bridge divides, and strengthen bonds within the community.
“For over 100 years, Crossroads United Way has been committed to improving lives and mobilizing the caring power of our community,” said Bill Purcell, President/CEO of Crossroads United Way. “This extraordinary gesture of generosity reflects the essence of our mission—supporting families who are working hard but facing challenges, particularly in the areas of health, education, and financial stability.”
This holiday season, the kindness inspired by this Secret Santa donation will ripple throughout Elkhart County, reminding everyone of the power of compassion and the importance of coming together to uplift one another.
About Crossroads United Way: Crossroads United Way serves Elkhart, LaGrange, and Noble Counties, advancing solutions that help families achieve stability and success. Our focus is on improving health, education, and financial stability to create lasting change and stronger communities. For more information, please contact Bill Purcell at purcellb@crossroadsuw.org or (574) 295-1650.