Heartbroken Widower With 7 Children Left Sobbing After Stranger Hands Him $10,000

Nov 22, 2021

The holiday season is one of celebration and joy, but for those who have faced immense sadness and loss, it can be a time of great sorrow as well. Since Christmas is synonymous with family time, most of us who have had a loved one pass on will be faced with memories that are bittersweet; though we know there was a lot of love that was shared, the loss of it can be devastating. 

This loss can be even more painful if a large family is left without their loved one while also dealing with financial problems. This was the case for one family, who had faced immense pain and tragedy. After tragically losing his wife in 2018, Dakota Nelson from Ashton, Idaho, suddenly became a single father raising seven children. He had to work three part-time jobs to make ends meet.

It had been a difficult year for the family, but right around the holidays, Dakota received an incredible Christmas gift, and his children would have a holiday to celebrate. There is always some light in the darkness when people put their generosity and spirit into action. Dakota Nelson was at the receiving end of this generosity, and his emotions speak for him when he was given $ 10,000 from a secret Santa.

The money made a major difference for Dakota and his family, and the generosity was extremely moving for everyone, especially so for Dakota, who was moved to tears. The spirit of Christmas is of joy, and stories like this show us that even in the darkest of times, kindness and generosity can pave the way towards the light. 

East Idaho News reported that Dakota, a part-time Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints seminary teacher, was spending time with his wife in their garage in July 2018 as they did quite often. While speaking in the video below, Dakota said that they were playing around and joking, happy to be in their home and with their children. Dakota left to get a few tools, leaving his wife in the garage alone. Within moments, she was on the ground and couldn't breathe.

East Idaho News reported that the couple's son called 911 for help immediately and they Dakota tried to breathe life back into his wife until the fire department and paramedics arrived.

Unfortunately, after Dakota's wife went without oxygen to her brain for almost half an hour, she slipped into a coma that lasted for a few weeks. Her body failed, and she died while her husband was by her side.

Dakota now had the daunting task of caring for his seven kids on his own. The children range in ages from one to 16. While the older children help around the house and with the younger children, Dakota has found that it's difficult being a single father.

He works three jobs to make sure his kids have their basic needs met, such as food and clothing according to Positive Outlook Blog. With Christmas coming, he wasn't sure how he would provide gifts for them until a secret Santa started a fundraiser for his family. It can be daunting to care for children while going through financial troubles, but Dakota had a guardian angel looking after him and his children.  

After being handed a gift from a Secret Santa, the family discovered $2,000 in gift cards and an $8,000 check. Dakota became so overwhelmed with gratitude that he couldn’t speak.

Dakota told East Idaho News that he put the money to good use. His family did not have a vehicle big enough to transport everyone so whenever they go anywhere together, Nelson had to drive one car while his 16-year-old son drove another at the time. 

He also penned a letter to the Secret Santa expressing his gratitude, where he wrote,

"It is hard to write this as I am at a total loss of words. There is no way for me to accurately convey how grateful we are for this kindness. As I was surprised with the gifts, I looked at my kids – who will remember this event forever as the best time they had in a hard time. Thank you for being an example to my family on how to look out for the needs of others."

In the letter, he also wrote about how his wife passed and how tragic the event was for the whole family. However, he also shed light on the light that the Secret Santa brought into their lives.

"I know no one makes it through life without some sort of event that is strenuous to the soul but I had not realized how much one can be happy even when the light is out and it is dark. Thank you for being that light," Dakota wrote. 

What did you think of this inspiring video? Would you do the same for a stranger to help if you could? Let us know your thoughts and pass this video along to your friends and family to inspire them this Holiday Season.