A touching Secret Santa surprise for a young widow whose husband's death saved two others

#eastidahonews #secretsanta #christmas
The EastIdahoNews.com team is busy helping a local Secret Santa give $1 million to deserving people in eastern Idaho this holiday season.
Albert Luce died following a terrible accident on July 4. He was an amazing husband, father, son and deputy and was always helping others.
When his wife, Lori, found out that he would not survive, she honored his wish to be an organ donor and asked that his kidneys go to two Blackfoot men in dire need of those organs.
She was told the chance was only 2% that the kidneys would be a match. The kidneys were flown to Salt Lake City to check viability and they were in perfect shape. Miraculously, both kidneys were perfect matches for the two men who needed them. They received the transplants and are now doing well.
Lori is an amazing, brave woman. While in the face of losing her dear husband, she thought of others. She now faces hard, lonely days but she has wonderful, loving parents and siblings as well as Albert’s amazing family.
Lori's selfless act of bravery and kindness gave these two men a new lease on life and Secret Santa asked the East Idaho News elves if we could pay her a visit with some early Christmas gifts. Watch the surprise in the video player above.
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[@adrianropp]

I am one of the kidney recipients and also the one who wasn’t expected to live to the end of this year. Albert and Lori not only saved my life, they gave me a new one! God bless this amazing family.

[@redwoods7370]

And God bless you!

[@Rock_K9]

How wonderful for you. May you live a long and joyous life. God Bless you and all who are here.

[@lorirwilson]

May you live a long and beautiful life! What a gift to have received! Prayers and love to you and yours - as well as the Luce family for their beautiful sacrifice. Surely heaven is happy to see such acts of love.

[@christinablair1978]

My heart aches for them but, it rejoices for you. I pray that you will now have a long and joyous life. I also pray that everyone will surround this family with love and support, they will need it in the coming months/years.

[@708Chrystal]

Glory to God Adrian for second chance. Please don't forget this family

[@TheMissKittey]

Absolutely incredible how strong this woman is! With everything she is going through, she is holding her family together, is still thinking of others, even saying "others need this more than me". She is filled with gratitude, pointing out how "loving and caring people are" and how she wished SHE could be giving, instead of receiving. This woman has my utmost respect, I wish her and her family all the best ❣❣❣ Also I would like to point out how empathetic and sensitive Nate is! 💖 He was able to lighten the mood by interacting with the adorable baby girl, and giving compliments to the entire family. He has such a natural sense for these emotionally loaded situations, he is the perfect messanger for our generous Secret Santa! ❤

[@amyshehi4731]

I ❤️ Nate!

[@neitikissu]

Nate is just lovely

[@robbiemarcum8878]

Those kidneys matching are miracles. This is so special. Chills. She is a special woman too.

[@mariacristinacampera3710]

What I find incredibly inspiring is that ALL the recipients say 'there are other people more deserving than me' - what wonderful people. All my love from Italy ❤❤❤

[@raggedyann4372]

What beautiful children. Praying for strength for this family. Thank you Secret Santa🙏🏻

[@kariay50]

Amen🙏🏻

[@9eyeswideopen]

A family member had the honour to receive a kidney transplant. As I watch her today I am in awe of the sacrifice of a person to give life when their’s was ending.😪 Thank you, Albert and Lori for your sacrifice, so others could have another chance of life.

[@Backstagemom3701]

As a widow of a fallen law enforcement officer, you have touched all of us. Thank you Secret Santa and Nate & crew❤❤❤❤

[@cindymanning3097]

That little boy has the most beautifully expressive face. You can see his grief, his worry and his love so clearly. So wonderful that this happened for them.

[@imjudgingyou000]

I chuckled when he scolded his sister quietly because she ripped off the bow hahaha 😂 too cute

[@daviamorim]

And he looks A LOT like his dad!

[@rebeccaradbourne5651]

These drop at 7am in the UK, i honestly look forward to starting my day out with these ❤

[@janepearson5802]

Ditto from Yorkshire. These give me hope .

[@Charlie-bh3yk]

I don’t usually watch these until the evening, I can’t work with puffy eyes from crying!

[@linodinardo4798]

toronto, canada. think im gonna add this to my morning routine.. need more of this.. less of everything else

[@brenda9228]

*To Secret Santa, your generosity is life- changing and I go from 0-60 crying tears of joy. You’re so appreciated. I hope you’re blessed with immense happiness and love.* 🤗

[@venerablemettaji6944]

"You really bless people's lives" (Secret Santa) - cannot be said better than that. Saluting Albert and Lori and their life-changing kindness and generosity

[@Chronicmom68]

Well, this one is a tear jerker!!! I'm so happy this family was blessed, as they blessed others through their loss. Bless them. Thank you, Secret Santa and East Idaho News.

[@ardieatkinson7408]

God bless this sweet family and I am sure husband and father of the family is watching over with love…God rest his soul!❤❤❤❤❤

[@loveforeignaccents]

Rest in peace, Albert. Glad he was able to help out those other men that needed kidneys, and how great they they were a match and knew this man and his family. Hopefully they will come to visit the family every once in a while when both of them are up for it, as I'm sure it would be nice. I feel so bad for this woman, but her pain in so fresh... only the passage of time is going to help her over such a huge loss. Her kids are darling and so well behaved, too. I hope all of them do well growing up without their poor dad. Hope they all enjoy the Christmas lights once they're up! Thank you, Secret Santa!!!

[@adrianropp]

I live in Salt Lake now, but I have every intention to visit them when I come up for Christmas!

[@emmaplatt9385]

@@adrianropp🤍🤍🤍

[@redrose41000]

@@adrianropp❤❤❤

[@hubert2038]

​@@adrianropp❤❤❤

[@allisontaylor1818]

​@@adrianropp❤❤❤❤

[@marypscreationsandmoreprog4316]

Tear jerker for sure Love the Secret Santa So beautiful to give and change people’s lives. ❤❤❤❤

[@monicakimsey5664]

When she said it was life changing I believe she meant it. ❤

[@robertmason7553]

She got me (53 year old man) before she even said a word.

[@50sRockChick]

Aww gosh. She so deserved this. And what an amazing gift she did for others fulfilling his wish of being a donor.

[@jjellybelmo4]

Bless this woman and her babies.

[@garrettelliott6623]

The look on that little boy’s face was haunting! God bless this family!

[@garyzink1927]

I thought I was the only one who could see the pain in his face as he listened to his mother. God please watch over this precious family. Peace from Northern Michigan.

[@ashtonstout7375]

Yes. He’s in so much pain. I hope he’s able to enjoy Christmas, but I know the first holidays without your loved ones are the hardest.

[@garrettelliott6623]

@@garyzink1927 My granddad is from Escanaba and my grandma is from Powers

[@grandmaof4659]

I just wanted to go through the screen and grab that little guy and give him a huge hug

[@adamdresch]

I wish East Idaho News would set up a gofundme page for each of these families or individuals who've been through so much, so others, not just Secret Santa, could donate to help them out.

[@jenessab9314]

This was one of my favorite

[@theendorsement]

Once again... morning coffee, EI News, Secret Santa and morning tears. Great way to start the day. RIP Albert 🙏

[@ONNpankaj]

Secret Santa, EIN and all others valuable person precious work always and Love from Bharat (India) 🇮🇳

[@mshockey73]

God bless her and her family. Thank you Secret Santa for helping them out. I'm sure they'll never forget your kindness!

[@staycool163]

The little girl looks like her dad. Beautiful family. Prayers and blessings to the family.

[@mermaidofaloha]

He will see the Christmas lights from heaven. ⭐️ God bless your family. 🙏

[@kathymiller9462]

WOW, just WOW. Stories that touch the heart. Every morning in Nov and Dec, I start my day with watching Secret Santa and have a good cry, not of sadness but filled with joy for such amazing people.

[@teresam2261]

Albert is a hero in so many ways. God bless this family. Thank you Secret Santa for helping them. And especially for adding the Christmas lights. ❤🤗. They are so deserving.

[@DodLDec]

Thank you Secret Santa for helping all these wonderful people this year.

[@lawwdogg1digr]

Carrying out God’s work in East Idaho. Thank you.

[@ms.cellaneous7458]

May God bless this lady and her children. They have been through so much and only four months ago. How very thoughtful of her to think of others during her time of loss. Yes, her husband lives on through the gift of life he gave to others. The very fact that both men were a match as recipients is a miracle in itself. The family picture at the end, so beautiful. Thank you, Secret Santa, for the wonderful gifts and thanks to Nate and helpers for the delivery. 🎅❤🙏

[@andersonsantucci9325]

One thing that I love in American people, they are very generous,they have the sense of community,they always are open to help who needs,don't matter who are you or where are you from,a great people,God Bless America,God Bless American people,sorry my English

[@carolpoe2730]

Just before leaving to go to work and now I’m crying! Good grief Secret Santa!! I love these videos!!

[@robertmason7553]

Its ok, tell them why and spread the love.

[@francesostrowski2374]

Her husband is a hero!

[@joi3296]

She’s a beautiful soul❤️

[@ritapearl-im3wv]

May God richly bless the one who provides the means for Secret Santa. It blesses us who watch as well.

[@donrainesoh]

When I was 15 my father passed away while waiting on a kidney. I’m a registered organ donor and I employ others to do the same. It truly can save and change lives.

[@roseann5562]

This has to be at the absolute top of my list of favorite Secret Santa gifts. What a great man he was, and a beautiful family.

[@sharonott7513]

Well, that was pretty sad. Thank you, Secret Santa, for giving this family a wonderful gift.

[@Tunapie]

Rest in peace to her husband. A tragedy but also a miracle. God bless this family and the recipients for his organs. I pray they live long and well.

[@janetjohnson7279]

🎄 Have a Very Merry Christmas!! 🎄

[@kens.3729]

Nothing More Important than the Gift of Life. SS Recipient Lost her Husband, I Lost an Older Brother. Both of them Donated Organs which Brings Great Comfort. 👍🙏

[@Jacqueline1859]

Sending so much strength to this family ❤

[@mariaes623]

A true Christmas miracle that her late husband’s kidneys were matches for those two recipients! God bless this poor grieving woman and her family.😢

[@dawnhasbroken6304]

I'm supposed to be out hanging lights but i'm sitting here bawling like a baby. What wonderful people are around us.

[@ExploreCyprus]

God Bless

[@rudewednesday8169]

This is humbling. I hope you can feel the love that we are sending.

[@1968catrece]

Thank you Secret Santa. To the LUCE family lots of Love and prayers ❤️

[@janicecanfield9211]

This gals husband gave the gift of life via his wife. It doesn't get much better than that. I see a reply from a recipient. Marvelous reply from him. To gift this young gal with 3 kids was perfect. Love Nate, EIN, Crew, Secret Santa 🎅

[@helencannan3626]

I love these secret Santa stories merry Christmas from Aotearoa New Zealand

[@terrym5023]

Thank you Secret Santa for giving myself and hundreds more a feel good cry every morning 🌝

[@paintedponies9490]

Thank you Secret Santa I hope that this encourages others to become secret Santas. God Bless you.

[@bpedoniquott7971]

Setting the example for your kids and being a spiritual human,thank you for the strength of it

[@lesapayne]

What an incredible man and a true hero in every way. A blue star hero now stands duty over those he loves from heaven. Thank you for your service and God bless your family, friends and community. 🌲🎁🧑‍🎄🌍🙏♥️

[@AhJodie]

So difficult to open boxes holding a child, but everyone helped, and she could barely talk, but was so grateful. Secret Santa, bless you! We all see so many people with no idea of what is going on in their lives, so it is wonderful that others are able to reach out to you, and then you can help those who need it and then that we all get to feel good, and even cry a little which gets rid of toxins and helps heal us. You are wonderful! Thank you to the news team, and thank you to all those people who send information to help those in need, and blessings to all those on here, but also everyone!

[@Happy-qe2ri]

God Bless this precious family!!! I love how she looked directly into the camera to thank Secret Santa and how she described how the Lord was in control of the kidney matches. God is so Good🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻. Secret Santa, you gave her some beautiful light and hope in some of her darkest days!!!! Thank you and thank Nate for always knowing what to say and being so wonderful to these very deserving families.

[@terrandavis8237]

And the tears are back another year. Bless this family and all those they helped...Thank You Secret Santa.

[@helenareyes6084]

Her / his story is not other than a miracle, I am sorry it was behind a tragedy and pain for this lovely family ❤❤❤❤

[@kmm129]

"I'm not cryin' you're cryin'." Bless this beautiful family.

[@dianeburdey3887]

My heart bleeds for that young child, losing his father. God bless you, Secret Santa. ❤🙏🎅🎄

[@maddieadams75]

Secret Santa Nate and EIN crew thank you. My deepest condolences to the Luce family. What a blessing Albert will continue to help others with his organ donation. 🙏❤️

[@melanytodd2929]

WOW❣ G od is great. Loads of love from South Africa 🇿🇦 ❤

[@brendakerr7833]

Secret Santa you are so good to people.

[@gillianvisser1545]

What lovely lady!!! So deserving!!

[@dianneyoung6170]

Sitting here 😢 what an amazing family❤ God Bless their family

[@nanapaintsil5891]

Thank you guys...Thank you Secret Santa..this got me❤❤❤❤....love from Ghana🇬🇭🇬🇭🇬🇭

[@Rock_K9]

God works in mysterious ways. Albert Luce continued his service to those in his community through the ultimate donation, the gift of life. What a kind and generous woman for what she did. Hoping her children have a beautiful and joyous Christmas, as well as the rest of their lives, knowing their dad continues to live on in others

[@AlainnCorcaigh]

Is that the same God that allows the continued abuse, rape and murder of millions of innocent men, women and children every year

[@Rock_K9]

@@AlainnCorcaighNo, that would be Satan and those that yield to his evilness. Some, who have hate in their hearts, similarly like you. I will pray for you to receive and give joy.

[@shikhalemuel6802]

Crying over my coffee first thing in the morning.

[@richardthomas1743]

WOW , talk about a bitter sweet story. I am so very sorry for the loss of Albert , and I am so amazed at his selfless giving to others. I just wish everybody the best , Albert's family and the families that have been touched and helped by Albert's passing.

[@metime4325]

She is so strong. And a true believer. Her husband made it happen through Secret Santa .

[@Mejiaelis]

This was beautifully heartbreaking

[@karenmuller7616]

Thanks Secret Santa! 😊🎄❄⛄

[@Veve33369]

Such a special and beautiful soul has this lady. May the Lord of heavens bless her and help her to continue being a good soul to be able to meet her husband in the very soon coming of Jesus Christ. Prayers and greetings from Germany 🇩🇪

[@johannamills5135]

This daily secret Santa is my Advent Calendar. Thank you so much. Greetings from the Uk

[@hellfiresass]

When someone says "other people deserve it more". Just proves you do deserve it

[@Mammaj1963]

I didn’t know you could pick your recipients , how nice she knew both people

[@debfox]

I’m tearing up! What an amazing family! I can’t imagine how hard these last 4 months have been on this sweet family. Secret Santa does more than just give gifts, he gives HOPE to others! May God bless this family! I pray their family, friends and neighbors rally around them especially this holiday season! They’re all going to need so much support, especially the kids! THANK YOU SECRET SANTA and the whole East Idaho News crew! Y’all do so much too.

[@graycee8326]

What an incredible family!! May God's Mercy continue to bless them; protect them and strengthen them in the future. Thank you so much Secret Santa... you are amazing!! May God lead you all the way home to Him! So we can all say.. 'Thank you!!....,' 'I thought it was you,' lol.. God bless you and your loved ones. Love from Australia 🥰

[@Victoria-OneLove4AllPeople]

Secret Santa is Touched by God. He sends help, hope and healing to those in need. God Bless this wonderful woman and her beautiful family.❤

[@ariesbarb418]

The third box was a check....but we don't know for how much? Whatever it was, she said it changed her family. These are amazing!

[@terrylancey5451]

Such a beautiful lady. Thank you East idaho news and secret santa fir helping this awesome family.

[@Truth1561]

In tears once again. Every story makes you appreciate what you have and the goodness- it’s easy to forget the goodness currently.

[@whiskeymonk4085]

I dont think anyone will want my kidney's, but they are up for grabs when I take the final ride. I love all of you. Go be someone's reason to smile.

[@brianbickle7395]

Tell your family what you want!!

[@susanclow5384]

I don't know who the Secret Santa is, but he is kind to help people out. And this mom as so grateful for her gifts. She seems so kind herself. Sadly, it takes time to grieve and it's only been 4 months. It was also great that her husband was a donor for people who go a new lease on life.

[@breadmakerbreadmaker5283]

Praying for His healing for this family. John 14:27

[@jackyparrott]

You sweetheart humbled your heart and God has lifted you up. Cast your cares upon the Lord for He cares for your whole family.

[@jenscheibner792]

Perfect match, God is good and what an amazing, selfless gift she and her husband gave those two men in the middle of her grief...

[@jasonboechler1842]

That cute baby just wanted to play with the bows..... soo adorable. Much love to the family and him for giving the gift of life and to the lives he saved by donating. 💜💯💪

[@anneroberts15]

Your husband is a true hero and you must be very proud of him and his life continues through his children

[@defeatignorance8681]

Is there a way to get some love to secret santa? I'm sure he has everything he needs but he could use some love and gratitude from all of us in the form of Christmas cards or letters of appreciation or something. This man has made my Christmas even more special the last few years and has done the same for countless families and viewers across the globe. I make all the kids gather around while putting up our tree to watch these blessings and it has made the experience so much more special. It puts the true meaning of Christmas in the air!

[@sarahw.6227]

Thank you Secret Santa! You really brought blessings down on this sweet family. I'm praying for them and for you. 🙏 💙🙏

[@jess.from.scratch]

In tears this morning 🥲 I pray her family will have a blessed Christmas. The look on that little boy's face said it all. The pain of missing his dad. 😢 Thank God for the miracles this man's life left behind.

[@norahmcphee4928]

Thank you Albert for giving others in need the chance to live a better life, due to your thoughtfulness in wanting to donate such life saving organs. The gift you gave lives on in others who can fulfil their mission on this earth and carry on yours. Lori, i am sending you love, prayers and hugs to you and your family, Albert's family also the friends he had, who are still trying to come to terms with his loss. I believe truly that our loved ones do not leave us totally, that they are beside us every single day, walking alongside us, it's just we can't see them. I hope that you and your children know that he is still there, but is just not seen and that he is guarding you all. Lori, you are one very special person to see only others needing help, but not yourself. Please try and have as good a Christmas as you can for your children, and that bright star shining up above is their Dad watching over and twinkling as if to say it's going to be alright. Thank you Secret Santa for blessing a family truly in need of comfort this Christmas, for recognising the sacrifices that this young family have gone through and in helping make this time that little bit easier. By getting a company in to do the one thing that means so much to this family who know they couldn't do it themselves, this in it's self will allow their Dad/husband still to be apart of the season. I say this every time i know , but i truly hope that you and your family have a Christmas to remember, because you are one very special human being and deserve the very best as well. Thank you helping so many people that could do with a break and their luck to change just for once. Hugs to Chief Elf Nate and his team of elves from EIN. Norah, GLenochil, Scotland

[@rangzenla]

so so deserving. Thank you Secret Santa for bringing a little sunshine in their life.

[@fleetsma5119]

I loved this!!

[@Arkanius1984]

What a wonderfull men he was saving multiple lives even after his death and what a wonderfull family, they deserve everything. I love this series and since a few years watching this videos is my morning routine.

[@judys5638]

This story is so heartbreaking and yet so beautiful. God bless Lori and her precious family, thank you Nate and Santa for showing her orhers care deeply for them.❤

[@janeschmidt9611]

Lori really touched my heart when she talked about how she understood God’s plan for her husband’s life. What a special family! 🥰

[@lisaburner4365]

God bless her husband 🙏sending love and prayers🙏❤️🙏❤️ omg the kids are beautiful

[@sandyoklahomatransient8557]

Thank you Secret Santa. God Bless this family.

[@RandalSandal825]

👍👍👍 love it! I watch these first thing in the morning to start my day the right way. From Eastern Canada 🇨🇦

[@glynn5455]

1/50 chance of each being a match. 1/2500 of both. What a stroke of luck/silver lining. Hope the boys are doing ok & get some grief counselling.