By BRENT MARTIN
St. Joseph Post
Four St. Joseph police officers fanned out across the city to give away $100 bills to lucky residents, after an anonymous donor gave the St. Joseph Police Department $2,000 in cash to be distributed as officers saw fit.
The four officers each got five 100-dollar bills, including Officer Kaitlyn Standiford, who explained the mission.
“Go find some people to either stop walking on the street or stop and pull over to spread some holiday cheer and give them some money,” Standiford told KFEQ/St. Joseph Post, which went along for the ride.
Standiford said she looked for residents in need, pulling over a couple of drivers with expired license plates who were overcome with emotion after receiving a 100-dollar bill instead of a ticket.
“I thought for sure I was getting a ticket,” said one driver. “I never thought anything in a million years it was going to be this.”
That driver said she would use the money to buy Christmas presents for her children.
Another driver with expired license plates was driving to the Buchanan County Courthouse to register her vehicle. When pulled over, she reached for her license and registration, never suspecting she would get cash.
“I’m very thankful and blessed,” She responded. “Thank you so much.”
Officer Standiford stopped her cruiser, pulled over, and began to speak with a homeless woman, Rebecca, who she has gotten to know over the years. When Standiford handed Rebecca the bill, Rebecca first thought it couldn’t be real. She told Standiford she planned to get a motel room and take a shower.
“I haven’t had a shower for a while,” Rebecca said. “Thank you. God bless you all.”
All the drivers and Rebecca who received money became emotional, except for one. He sat in his car, stunned, stating he would use the money to buy presents for his five children.
Another driver reached for her license and registration after being pulled over and couldn’t believe she got $100 instead.
“I’m going to pay my bills that need to be paid,” she said.
She never expected this.
“No, I didn’t. I was so surprised.”
Five people approached by an officer, who handed them cash given the police department by an anonymous donor.
“Thank you so much,” one driver told Officer Standiford. “Merry Christmas.”
This article has been updated since first published for clarification.
You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.