Santa's Secret: A Story of Hope

Donna McGuire
World 2 Publishing, LLC (2006)
ISBN 0979024801
Reviewed by Richard R. Blake for Reader Views (3/07)

“Santa’s Secret” traces the story of an anonymous man’s wakeup call to success in business.  Desperate and hungry, with no money to pay for a meal, this young man resolved to rob a convenience store. His circumstances changed when someone mysteriously provided twenty dollars to meet his immediate needs.  He made a vow to someday help others facing similar cash needs.

For over twenty-five years this anonymous businessman has handed out hundred-dollar bills to spread holiday cheer to help the needy. After appearing on the Oprah show, unidentified and in disguise, he became known as Secret Santa. Since that time he has become a legend.

The story chronicles the events that took Secret Santa from Mississippi to Kansas City, to the site of the Twin Towers in New York City to help the unemployed, and families of victims of the terrorist’s devastation. He traveled to Florida and New Orleans to help meet the needs of hurricane victims.

Secret Santa has a knack for finding minimum-wage workers, the homeless, and the unemployed.  To help in this effort, law enforcement officers, FBI friends, firemen, sports figures, a host of other friends and benefactors have been recruited to serve as secret elves.  They continue to keep Santa’s identity a secret and to perpetuate his mission.

Without revealing his identity Donna McGuire tells his life story.  Using the crisp, direct writing of a news journalist, she sets a fast pace and draws the reader from one heartwarming story to the next.  She has a gift for stirring the emotions of the reader from curiosity, to empathy, then compassion, concern, and finally to action.  I found myself emotionally invested in the story wanting to reach out to the needy in my community.  I felt compelled to find opportunities to help someone and to display the same generous spirit that Secret Santa has shown those the needy in Kansas City.

Santa’s own personal battle with cancer and the evidence of his solid faith bear positive testimony to the genuineness of the character of this unique and generous man.

“Santa’s Secret” is a collection of heart warming stories designed to challenge the reader to become involved in a unique way approach to demonstrating gratefulness.  This is a story of inspiration and hope, the true story of America’s Secret Santa.

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