Secret Santas gift $100 bills to random residents
Lincoln Park police step up to keep generous tradition alive
In a year filled with tragedy and loss, an anonymous couple on Friday gave joy and $100 bills, stamped with the words “Secret Santa,” to those who need extra hope.
The question that’s always asked before handing out the money is, “Do you believe in Santa?”
For over a decade, a Secret Santa couple has given away $184,000 of their own money to random metro Detroit residents. This year, the couple gave out $13,000 total.
Usually, the Secret Santas would deliver the money themselves with the help of the Lincoln Park Police Department. However, the pandemic derailed the tradition, so police handdelivered the money themselves.
“We get such joy from doing this and from being able to give from the gifts that we’ve been given,” said one of the Secret Santas, who wish to remain anonymous. “Lincoln Park really represents what has always been thought of as a traditional middle-class working neighborhood.”
Police distributed money to high schoolers, community leaders and people who need extra financial support.
“We do this because our city needs it, and we have a lot of people that are in need,” Lincoln Park Police Chief Raymond Watters said. “We’re very fortunate we’re able to help them.”
This year was a test to many metro Detroiters’ resiliency.
Cherisse Gergis, 33, is a newly single mother who had a double mastectomy after being diagnosed with stage three breast cancer.
As Lincoln Park police walked up to her door, she was in shock as they handed her a crisp $100 bill.
“This year has been rough, and I refer to it as ‘collateral beauty,’ as weird as that sounds. I call it this because bad things happen to good people all the time,” Gergis said. “Life humbled me a lot this year.”
Gergis hasn’t been able to work due to her surgery, and she hasn’t been paid for over seven weeks.
“This money will help me keep living, being able to keep going and pay bills on time,” Gergis said with tears filling her eyes.
Another recipient, Erica Kruszewski, 42, said the year started off alright until she had an accident that destroyed her car.
“I wanted to get my stuff out of the car at the impound, and they wanted $80 just to open the gate, and I couldn’t even get that,” Kruszewski said. “So I left a lot of stuff in my Jeep.”
Being carless with three kids put Kruszewski in a tough situation. Her situation only became worse after surviving a domestic incident with her former boyfriend.
Kruszewski powered through the year and when Lincoln Park police handed her the money, she was speechless with tears in her eyes.
Lincoln Park police gave more money to unsuspecting residents, who were sitting in the December cold while waiting for the city bus near Fort Street.
Christina Delaney, 39, was shocked when she saw a throng of police cars roll up to her bus stop. At first, she was scared. However, her emotions changed after police handed her the Christmas cash.
After having an overwhelming year, she said receiving the money is a blessing.
Delaney is a mother to three kids 13, 17 and 18. Her hours at the Dunkin’ Donuts were cut short due to the pandemic, and money became
tighter as the months progressed.
Delaney said she’s facing the possibility of eviction, but she’s hoping to get her family out of this situation soon.
“I’m stressed and trying to make sure that everything is held together with making sure bills are paid on time,” she said. “I’m blessed to actually get through the day and seeing this makes me feel overwhelmed to know that there are people out here that care.”
Lincoln Park police also stopped at the local dollar store and the family-owned Park Restaurant located on Fort Street, which has been hit hard financially.
Cook and waitress Lisa Vasquez, 43, said business has been horrible since Michigan reinstated another round of lockdown orders.
However, she’s grateful for receiving some extra cash, which will help her gain peace of mind for the upcoming holiday season.
“I want to cry right now because everything has just been rough, it really has been,” Vasquez said. “But we’re lucky we’re still hanging on, and as long as we stick together, everything will be OK.”