A Christmas Miracle: Secret Sonomans Distribute $20,000

Across the country 'layaway angels' have been donating Christmas funds to pay off presents left in wait at stores such as K-Mart and Walmart. Recently, a group has hit stores in Petaluma, .

But in Sonoma we have our own angels: a anonymous family moved through Boyes Hot Springs earlier this week, leaving envelopes filled with $2,000 in cash with ten different families, according to an article in the Index-Tribune. 

The donors approached Stand by Me Mentoring to select several families, who were picked based on need, according to director Kathy Witkowicki. Several of the families have faced extreme challenges in the last year – including illnesses and financial hardship.

“We’ve looked at these families very closely,” she told in the Index-Tribune. “We wanted to find someone who would spend the money wisely.”

Each of the chosen families were told to stay home for a 'surprise, namely, the donor, who after knocking on each door delivered an envelope with 20 crisp $100 bills.

“You get $2,000 in $100 bills from a complete stranger a few days before Christmas. I think it’s wonderful,” said Witkowicki.