For me, Christmas truly is all about the kindness of strangers.

It may sound trite, but I have witnessed it firsthand.

Five years ago during the pandemic, a man whose identity remains a mystery mailed me a $500 bank check to the Morning Sentinel office in Waterville, along with a note saying he has enjoyed my column over the years and it had inspired him to give back to the community. There was no return address and the letter wasn’t signed. He asked that I disburse the money to a charity of my choice.

Of course, I was stunned and deeply humbled. I wrote a column about the gift, noting I had given the money to the Humane Society Waterville Area. Since I didn’t know who the donor was, I thanked him in the column.

Much to my surprise, he sent another check, noting that I didn’t need to thank him! Over the next few years, the checks kept coming, in increasing amounts. I took seriously each request that I donate the funds to worthy causes, often staying awake at night mulling who the recipients should be.

Just before Christmas in 2023, I did something a little different, turning his donation into 10 $100 bills and drove around Waterville to give them to people who were visibly in need.

Example: A man and woman trying to repair an old rusted out pickup truck that was jacked up in a driveway. They tearfully accepted the money, which I explained was from an anonymous donor. The woman gave me a hug, one of the best I have ever received.

Through this experience, I have learned that it is better to give than to receive. There is no feeling in the world quite like it.

Last week I received in the mail the largest anonymous gift yet: A total of $5,000, in 10 $500 checks. I hesitate to disclose this, as I know the donor doesn’t expect recognition or praise. He simply says in his letter, signed “Mr. and Mrs. Claus,” that he and his wife have been fortunate and thus are able to help.

But I’m compelled to tell the story because I believe it is important to give when and where we can, whether a dollar or a thousand. And if not with money, then through an act of kindness, no matter how small.

My anonymous friend writes in this year’s Christmas letter that the poor and homeless continue to struggle as their benefits decrease, but the caring, loving volunteers and organizations in our community help to lessen their burden.

He praised the volunteers who serve meals or hand out food to the hungry, as well as those who provide shelter to the homeless.

“This is the season of giving and a time to reflect on what our lives are all about,” he writes. “I am not talking about money, I’m not talking about materialistic things like big fancy houses, expensive cars or toys, far away vacations, etc., etc. I am talking about having family and-or friends (four legged as well as two).”

“This is the season of giving and a time to reflect on what our lives are all about.”

Anonymous donor

On Monday, I visited the Mid-Maine Homeless Shelter in Waterville and handed a check to shelter manager Richard Compagnon, who expressed gratitude for the donation, which I explained was from someone who wanted to remain anonymous. He and the assistant shelter manager, Teddy Brindley, were busy but welcomed me into their office and spoke compassionately about the people they serve.

At the Waterville Food Bank, located at the United Methodist Church on Pleasant Street, food bank treasurer Sandra Kostron accepted my check, citing an increase in need.

And Rev. Maureen Ausbrook, co-director of Starfish Village, a mission of the Waterville Congregational First Church of Christ on College Avenue, also expressed thanks for a donation. Starfish Village, run by volunteers, helps people in emergency situations with heating fuel, electricity, auto repairs and other needs. For example, Starfish rescued a mother and two children who had been living in their car and now are housed, with volunteers helping them navigate the complexities of life.

I also gave to the The Evening Sandwich Program, located in the basement of the Universalist Unitarian Church on Silver Street. Program Director Maili Bailey, who has been with the program for 33 years, said volunteers give out 100 takeout meals a day from 3 to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, with Wednesdays having been recently added to fill a growing need. Each recipient gets four meals, so as to take the other three to family back at home. In some cases, they would otherwise not have access to food for days, Bailey said. The program runs solely on donations.

“We depend on the kindness of strangers,” she said.

Often, those who give gifts or commit an act of kindness ask their recipients to “pass it on.”

As the recipient of an ongoing, extraordinary gift of giving, I hope others follow the lead of my generous donor.

I wish him, his wife, and all those who give — and receive — a very Merry Christmas.

Amy Calder has been a Morning Sentinel reporter 37 years. Her columns appear here Sundays. She is the author of the book, “Comfort is an Old Barn,” a collection of her curated columns, published in 2023 by Islandport Press. She may be reached at [email protected]. For previous Reporting Aside columns, go to centralmaine.com.