Anonymous Donor “Pete” Returns To Easterseals For 32nd Year

Beloved “Secret Santa” delivers $3,000 to make Christmas merrier for children in need served by the Easterseals Rehabilitation Center and Easterseals Early Learning Center. Pete’s donations since 1990 have now surpassed $103,000.

“Hi! It’s your old buddy Pete!” Those were the first words in a phone call to the Easterseals Rehabilitation Center just at 9:45 am on Monday, Dec. 5. It was a beloved anonymous benefactor who calls himself “Pete” and has now made 42 generous donations to Easterseals since 1990. Pete said that he had just delivered a gift, and told Easterseals staff to hurry and look for his donation outside the nonprofit organization’s headquarters at 3701 Bellemeade Avenue in Evansville.

A group of staff members followed Pete’s directions and found a festive gift bag. Inside was a holiday decoration–a red truck with Christmas decorations in the bed and bulbs that light. Tucked under the décor in the truck bed were 30 one-hundred-dollar bills, making a total donation of $3,000. Photos and videos are available at this link:https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1189svoK01pmpKo1q1DDKEEkddcFyQZJW

Again this year—like so many years before—Pete stressed that his donation should be used to provide gifts to children with disabilities from disadvantaged families served by the Easterseals Rehabilitation Center and Easterseals Early Learning Center. Now the organization’s therapists, teachers, and other staff will gladly act as Pete’s elves, purchasing and delivering presents from Pete for young clients and their siblings who would otherwise have a meager holiday.

Pete said that giving this donation made his day and he loves that his giving spirit has inspired many other individuals, groups, and companies to join the effort and “adopt” children and families each holiday season. Thanks to the combined generosity of Pete and others in the community, more than 140 children served by Easterseals will receive assistance this year. Gifts will range from toys, books and games to socks, shoes and winter coats.

Easterseals employees do not know the identity of their mysterious gift-giver, who has always referred to himself as “Pete.” Including this most recent delivery, Pete’s contributions over the past 32 years now total $103,450. All of Pete’s contributions have been designated to fill the needs of local children with disabilities. This “secret Santa’s” donations have always arrived in the form of hundred-dollar bills delivered in fun, creative ways. As usual, accompanying Pete’s latest delivery was a hand-written note with the words “You will hear from me again. Pete”

Easterseals invites the community to share Pete’s giving spirit by enjoying Ritzy’s Fantasy of Lights in Evansville’s Garvin Park nightly through Jan. 1. All proceeds from the drive-through light show provide inclusive early education and essential therapy services, empowering Tri-State children and adults with disabilities to achieve their own unique goals and dreams.