A Secret Gift: How One Man’s Kindness – and a Trove of Letters – Revealed the Hidden History of the Great Depression

A Secret Gift: How One Man’s Kindness – and a Trove of Letters – Revealed the Hidden History of the Great Depression

By Ted Gup

364 pages

The Christmas of 1933 was a trying time for many families. America was in the midst of the Great Depression. The economy had grinded to a halt. Unemployment appeared to be everywhere. However in Canton Ohio, a newspaper ad offered a glimpse of hope in a small financial gift, to families in need. The sponsor called himself, Mr. B. Virdot. An alias, so the benefactor could remain anonymous.

These letters written to Mr. B. Virdot has surfaced after seventy-five years. In these letters are stories of suffering and grief as residents of the city and surrounding area wrote to Mr. B. Virdot hoping and praying for some relief.

The author, Ted Gup, is the grandson of the sponsor, Sam Stone. Ted was given the hidden letters by his mother in 2008. Ted investigated each family who received a five dollar check from his Mr. B. Virdot and wrote an inspiring account of these ordinary people during an era full of hardship.