Volunteer coordinator whose husband unexpectedly died gets touching surprise from a Secret Santa

A local Secret Santa is giving $1 million to deserving people in eastern Idaho this holiday season and the East Idaho News elves are helping out.

Every day since Nov. 1, we’ve posted a Secret Santa surprise, and today have our last video with a wonderful woman named Gwen.

Gwen currently works as the volunteer coordinator for a home health and hospice agency in Rexburg. Having her own mother on hospice, Gwen understands the grief and hardship people experience with anticipating death. Gwen is passionate about service, and cares very deeply about every resident that she sees.

On Nov. 23, Gwen’s husband passed away suddenly and unexpectedly from a heart attack. She didn’t get the chance to prepare for Dusty’s loss and keep him comfortable on hospice. Despite her broken heart, Gwen has turned outward and continues to serve others to help her heal.

With funeral costs right before Christmas, Dusty’s untimely death has left a huge void in this family. Gwen has shared that the thing that helps bring her the most peace is going for drives. This is something that she and Dusty used to do together. She has a reliable vehicle but doesn’t go out as much as she would like to preserve resources. One of her favorite traditions is to make homemade Christmas cookies with her grandkids every year.

Secret Santa asked if the East Idaho News elves would visit Gwen and surprise her with a gift. Check out our final surprise for 2024 in the video player above.

The post Volunteer coordinator whose husband unexpectedly died gets touching surprise from a Secret Santa appeared first on East Idaho News.