Secret Santa: Former ATI employee donates $10K to benefit Leechburg students
A Secret Santa is spreading Christmas cheer again in Leechburg Area School District.
A handwritten letter with a $10,000 check enclosed was received this month by David Leech Elementary School Principal David Keibler.
Keibler said the donor wishes to remain anonymous, but revealed that the Secret Santa is a former ATI employee from the West Leechburg plant who lives in the Pittsburgh region.
“He’s very humble and said he’s been blessed in his life and wants to help our students,” Keibler said.
All 294 pre-kindergarten through fifth-grade students enrolled at David Leech Elementary School will receive a $25 Amazon gift card. Remaining money will be used to support district families in need during the holidays and beyond.
“Its heartwarming to know the gentleman cares so much,” Keibler said, adding the donor stays in communication with him throughout the year to inquire about specific student needs.
Keibler said this is the fourth occasion the district has received funds from the donor.
Last year, Keibler mailed a monthly calendar, featuring a photo of each grade, as a thank you gift to the gentleman.
“The students were excited to shop — and some of them even bought gifts for others instead of themselves,” Keibler said.
Keibler said he is still working out the logistics of gift-card delivery during covid-19 restrictions.
The plan is to distribute the gift cards to students before Dec. 23.
“If I have to, I’ll hand-deliver all of them to the students,” Keibler said. “Know of anyone with a sleigh trailer?”
Leechburg Area Superintendent Tiffany Nix said the timing of the gift is especially positive during difficult pandemic conditions, with students currently learning remotely until Dec. 7.
“In times of need and sadness, it’s wonderful to know that kindness and generosity still exists. Words can’t express our gratitude,” Nix said. “To see the joy on our student’s faces is priceless. And it’s all because of one very giving and selfless person.”
Joyce Hanz is a native of Charleston, S.C. and is a features reporter covering the Pittsburgh region. She majored in media arts and graduated from the University of South Carolina. She can be reached at jhanz@triblive.com
Remove the ads from your TribLIVE reading experience but still support the journalists who create the content with TribLIVE Ad-Free.