You Don't Have to Be Bill Gates to Help End Hunger

By Annie Bergman

October 3, 2019

Last Updated: December 19, 2013

You Don't Have to Be Bill Gates to Help End Hunger

A Reddit user got the surprise of her life Wednesday night when she opened up the gift from her Reddit Secret Santa and discovered it was a cow donated in her name by the one and only Bill Gates. 

"The first thing I noticed was a stuffed animal. I didn't know I gave off the stuffed animal vibe, but I excitedly added him to my collection of teddy bears and other delightful friendly creatures. Next, I found the card. To me, from Bill. This still had not clicked, by the way, that it was Bill Gates," said user NY1227 in her post on Reddit about the gift.

"I thought Bill sounded like a friendly fellow. In fact, I had this whole image of this poor guy named Bill trying to navigate my wish list full of makeup, nail polish, glittery things to buy me...I finally opened the card and realized that "Bill" (I use quotes, because like I said, I still didn't realize that this was THE Bill) had donated to a charity on my behalf. The charity was/is Heifer International. I took a break from my present to research the charity a bit, and now the stuffed animal cow made sense. I was so excited, the cause seemed really worthy and amazing, and it is the season of giving," she said. 

Bill Gates as Secret Santa on the Today Show on NBC

So, thank you, Bill Gates, for being the best surprise Secret Santa and for choosing to give a Heifer Gift in your fellow Reddit user's name.  

But you don't have to be Bill Gates to help end hunger. Like Reddit user Rachel said, it is the season for giving. It's also the season of office parties, big family gatherings, book club parties and the like. And most of the events include a gift exchange or secret Santa. Wouldn't it be great if you took a page out of Bill's book and surprised others with a Heifer gift? After all it is a gift that fits everyone

Bill Gates gave a Heifer, but he's also asking for folks to give flocks of chicks this year. It's the perfect price point at $20. It's a nice amount and you'll really be gifting the chance at a better, brighter future for a family in need. 

If you go that route, let us know, too. Tweet us @Heifer and let us know if you gave Heifer for a Secret Santa party.