Cape Coral woman says strangers gave her card with cash on Christmas

A woman is looking for the couple who handed her a card with cash inside. The woman says the generosity goes a long way, and it was a Christmas blessing.

Kristen Licata went to Sam’s Club in Cape Coral on Wednesday to pick up groceries, but she left with a Christmas gift from complete strangers who went up to her in the parking lot.

“They were trying to hand me a card, and they said that, ‘We have a Christmas card for you. Merry Christmas,’” Licata said. “I said, ‘Thank you. Merry Christmas, and I got the card. Didn’t think anything of it.”

When she opened the card, she found three $20 bills clipped to the top.

“I was in a state of shock, just sat in my car processing what just happened,” Licata said. “It means the world to me.”

Licata thinks the couple knew they were spreading some Christmas magic, but what they didn’t know is that she’s a former performer for Princess Cruises who has not worked since March, and she really needed an extra dose of Christmas cheer.

“This past year has been really brutal on all of us, and it’s really incredible and really amazing and shocking that a couple thought to do this,” Licata said. “If they do see this interview, I thank them very much from the bottom of my heart.”

Licata told us she would really like to thank the couple in person for brightening her Christmas with their generosity.

Even though Licata is out of a job, she says she won’t spend the money. She’s waiting to pay it forward.

“That’s why I’m holding onto this,” Licata said. “I’m hoping that this time next year I can do this for somebody, a complete stranger that I feel like is in need.”