Secret Santa surprises widow who lost husband after house fire last week
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ST. ANTHONY — It was one tragedy after another last week for Melinda Young and her eight children.
On Monday, Dec. 14, just 11 days before Christmas, Melinda was jolted awake to the smell of smoke. Her house was on fire.
Melinda and her 54-year-old husband, Kurtis, were able to escape the home with their twin 12-year-old daughters and 14-year-old son.
But Kurtis was struggling to breathe and he collapsed. Emergency personnel administered CPR and he was taken to Madison Memorial Hospital and then transported to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
Melinda is now left without her best friend and her home is considered a complete loss. Her older children have taken her and the younger kids in until they can get back on their feet.
When a local Secret Santa and his wife heard about Melinda’s situation, they decided to give her $10,000.
The EastIdahoNews.com elves went and surprised Melinda at the BioMat USA Plasma Center in Rexburg, where she works. Her boss and all of her colleagues were in on the act – and Melinda’s reaction to her special gift is one they won’t soon forget.
All week long EastIdahoNews.com will be surprising deserving families with Christmas money. Check back often for new videos and please share this story with your friends.
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