'Secret Santa' Hits Healdsburg

Teresa Ramirez was at Healdsburg Safeway Friday when she got an unexpected intervention from a plainclothes 'Secret Santa."

"I was buying groceries for the week, since kids are out of school," said Ramirez, who is leader of Healdsburg Girl Scout Troop #389. "The bill was close to $100."

Ramirez said she noticed a man standing by the checkstand. She said she thought he was waiting to ask the cashier a question.

"As I pulled out my wallet, he tells the cashier that he is paying for my groceries and handed the cashier a $100 dollar bill," Ramirez said.  "I was shocked."

Ramirez said she managed to say a quick "thank you" before the man took off to the next checkstand, and paid for several other customers' $100 tabs.

"I didn't get his name, but I would like to acknowledge his generosity," she said.

Safeway customer service manager John Rego said Saturday he had had no reports of the 'Secret Santa' activities on Friday.

"I've not heard anything about it," Rego said.

As documented on various TV news shows and newspaper articles around the world, the 'Secret Santa' phenomenon has been growing around the country and the world.

Have you met Healdsburg's "Secret Santa?" Tell us about your encounter in the comments below.

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