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CMPD, CFD help ‘Secret Santa’ give away money to unsuspecting people

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — It was an undercover operation designed to spread holiday cheer and kindness.

Some of Santa’s secret elves hit the streets of the Queen City on Thursday to give out $100 bills to unsuspecting people with help from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department and Charlotte Fire Department.

It’s a 15-year tradition that means a lot to Sergeant Kevin Trivola.

“They randomly choose – it might be a bus stop; it might be somebody walking down the street. They’ll stop the car and get out,” Trivola said about the Secret Santa program.

The elves don’t want to be identified, and the only thing they ask of recipients is for them to treat someone else with kindness.

“This time of year, I think it’s really important to give back a little bit and see the importance of the holidays and the cheer it brings to people,” he said.

Army Veteran Juleesa Williams, who received one of the gifts, has already been doing that by helping other veterans find transitional housing through a Place for Heroes.

It’s a story she knows well.

“I ended up in a little situation, and I needed a place to live. They’ve been taking care of me for three years now,” Williams said.

Williams said after she buys a hat and scarf for the winter season, she’ll use the rest of the money to pass it on.

“I believe in paying it forward. I will do great things with what they’ve blessed me with,” she said.

In total, the Secret Santa elves gave away more than $10,000 and said they’ll continue to do it as long as they can.