His best friend died and he was made fun of on the bus. Now Secret Santa has a gift for this young man. - East Idaho News
Secret Santa

His best friend died and he was made fun of on the bus. Now Secret Santa has a gift for this young man.

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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 from now until the end of the year, we’ll be posting a Secret Santa surprise, and today we are surprising a young man named Marshall.

Marshall is the kindest, most caring and happiest young man you will ever meet. He brings so much joy to others around him.

December is a tough month for Marshall. He lost his best friend, Nicholas, a few years ago. Nicholas had a severe disability called Vanishing White Matter disease that left him in a wheelchair. Despite having Down Syndrome, Marshall and Nicholas planned to be roommates and live a life of adventure.

Nicholas and Marshall share the same birthday – December 13. Marshall didn’t think he would ever be able to celebrate his birthday without Nicholas but it has become a little easier over the years.

Recently, Marshall was riding the city bus to his job. A young man riding the bus called Marshall a derogatory slur. This devastated Marshall. His heart was broken and he refused to ride the bus for some time. He just recently he found the courage to take the bus to his job at Pizza Pie Cafe again.

Marshall isn’t in need of a car, money, or other things – he just needs to know that he is loved. He needs to know that even with his disability, he is important and he matters. He needs to know there are good people in this world. He needs to have good
memories in December.

Secret Santa asked the East Idaho News elves to visit Marshall and surprise him with a Christmas (and birthday!) gift. Check it out in the video player above.

watch Secret Santa videos

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