SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — It was another evening just before dinner at the St. Francis House. At least, that’s what guests thought.
As everyone took their seats, one by one, they each received a sealed envelope with their name.
“They gave us cards for Christmas and stuff and I thought it was just sweet that oh, they’re giving us New Year’s Day cards, too. That’s all I thought it was,” Angela Lyon said.
Little did everyone know the surprise inside.
“$100 bill. That’s amazing,” Lyon said. “That’s something I can use.”
The gift is from an anonymous donor.
“We have been so very blessed to have this anonymous donor who just really believes in uplifting people and giving them a sense of hope,” St. Francis House CEO Julie Becker said.
It’s not the first year of the anonymous donation. In the past, staff presented guests with surprise money on Christmas Day. However, this year was different. Just days before the holiday, Becker lost her husband.
“Due to the death of my husband passing away, the donor said, ‘Let’s wait,” Becker said. “He reached out to me just a few days ago and said, ‘You know what, Julie? I think both you and all of the guests at the St. Francis House need the same sense of hope and a new year. And so, let’s celebrate 2025 with a nice surprise for all of the guests and let’s start a fresh year.'”
For many, the gift wasn’t just money, but a sign that someone, somewhere, cares.
“It’s sort of a tremendous gift, I would say, especially for a lot of guys in here coming from situations that they are coming in,” Peter Biel said.
To some, $100 means a chance to take care of everyday needs.
“I have to put some gas in my car and I’m going to send my sister a gift. I wasn’t able to afford to get her one,” Lyon said.
For others, it’s an opportunity to pay the generosity forward.
“Oh, you know what? I might just pass it on to the next person that needs it,” Biel said. “I mean, I feel like if someone is willing to help me out, why shouldn’t I be able to pass that along?”
Donations at the St. Francis House are accepted daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
