Phoenix
A perennial "On the Road" favorite is the story of Secret Santa, a wealthy and anonymous businessman who every year gives out hundreds of $100 bills to random strangers.
For students of Derek Brown, a Phoenix elementary teacher who uses "On the Road" stories to teach kindness and character, watching Secret Santa do his thing made a huge impression on his students.
"I was, like, shocked because, well, who does that?" student Nicholas Talamantes asked.
"I've never seen anyone, like, just give money away like that," student Carissa Cheong added.
So, with guidance from Brown, the students this year started a Secret Santa club and began fundraising. They called friends, family and businesses, raising $8,000 without any help from their school or district, just so they could turn around and give it all away.
They gave the money to people like Rosemarie Hernandez, who had been out of work for a week.
"It will give me a lot of relief, thank you…you guys," an emotional Hernandez told the students.
They also gave money to Deidre Taylor, who had just been diagnosed with cancer and was down to her last $20.
Taylor expressed her gratitude to the group, saying, "Thank you so very much, you guys are amazing. Oh my God."
A group of children spent the day making a difference in the lives of many. They soon realized that the more they gave, the more they received.
"I'm just so happy right now," said student Andrea Ramirez.
Student Evangeline D'Agostino added, "Their joy — that's the gift to you."
This was exactly what Brown had hoped for.
"I want this memory to be so strong that it now drives them every day, in everything they do," Brown said.
Cheong, one of the students, said the experience "definitely" changed her.
"I never felt this way in my life," Cheong said. "So this was really a life changer for me."
Whoever said money can't buy happiness, obviously never gave it away.
