Sam's Club greeter who's had an 'absolutely terrible' year is speechless when Secret Santa shows up

A Secret Santa is back and this Christmas is bigger than ever!

The EastIdahoNews.com team is busy helping a local man gift more than $500,000 this holiday season. A lot more. Secret Santa is a real person who wants to remain anonymous and hopes to help as many individuals in our community as he can.

Robert works at the Idaho Falls Sam’s Club. You've probably seen him scanning receipts as customers leave the club. He is extremely friendly and is always smiling.

Robert is from New Zealand and moved to the United States to be closer to his wife's family. He was working at the Logan, Utah Sam’s Club and was named “Friendliest Associate of the Year” because of his outgoing attitude.

Robert moved to Idaho Falls after his wife, Tammy, became seriously ill and needed constant care. Tammy’s sister volunteered to help with Tammy's care but soon after they moved here, the sister was diagnosed with a brain tumor so Robert and his wife became her caretaker.

Because Tammy and her sister were unable to work, Robert struggled to make ends meet but he continued to work with a positive attitude and a smile on his face every day. Tammy’s sister recently found out that the tumor has come back.

About four months ago, Robert and Tammy were robbed at gunpoint and beaten up while visiting family members in another state. Soon after that incident, they were both diagnosed with COVID-19.

Secret Santa heard about Robert's story and asked the East Idaho News elves to go surprise him on his first day back at work following his coronavirus battle. Watch the video above as we surprised him at the Sam's Club door!

Видео Sam's Club greeter who's had an 'absolutely terrible' year is speechless when Secret Santa shows up канала East Idaho News