Donor teaches students the importance of giving

SCOTLAND, S.D. (WHDH) -- Scotland Elementary in South Dakota recently received a gift.

Not a new highlander mural in their gym or money for new text books - 100 students each received $10 from an anonymous donor the day before Christmas break.

While some first think of spending it on candy and toys. This money comes with specific directions.

"The letter that came along with it talked about making sure the kids remember that there's good in the world and to continue to good things because someone was watching them,” said Damon Alvey, Scotland Superintendent.

Those stipulations were relayed to the students.

"For the new students, we get an assembly together. We talk about that somebody has dropped off a gift for them and what the letter said and what it is asking for them to do,” said Alvey.

A sort of paying it forward.

While $10 may not be enough to change the world, some kids use the money just to make their parents lives a little easier.

"I used of half of it for my school lunch money,” said student Cain Livingston, "’cause I didn't want my mom to pay."

Others use their share to help out the community.

"I bought a blanket for a baby shower at my church,” said Jessica Stark, another student.

This $1,000 donation wasn't a onetime thing. In 2005 and again in 2010 the elementary school received anonymous donations with the same instructions.

"To have an anonymous donor remind our students sporadically by giving them this gift, it just reinforces everything we're trying to do on a daily basis here,” said Alvey.

The school superintendent said they hope to put together a journal on how all of the money was spent.