Mystery Mom Funds Thanksgiving for Needy Family

A Mission Viejo mother's generosity caused another in Irvine to reach out to say thank you.

During a visit to Hoeptner Park Thursday, Shontelle Moore was caring for her 3-year-old child and 8-month-old granddaughter. Her daughter is being diagnosed at the nearby childhood learning center.

Moore is a struggling mother of four who also cares for her granddaughter. She has no car, meaning she mostly walks when not paying for a taxi.

She struck up a conversation with a mother playing with her son at the park. The mother from Mission Viejo never gave her her name, but they both shared their struggles with one another.

The Mission Viejo woman prayed with Moore, and before the two parted she handed her some money.

"I said thank you to the lady," Moore said. "Upon arriving back to my daughter's school I pulled the money out of my diaper bag to see how much it was. To my suprise it was $140. Literally I began to cry."

That $140 meant a lot to Moore, who said she wasn't planning to make Thanksgiving dinner this year before receiving the gift.

"I truly want to thank her from the bottom of my heart," she said. "Thanks to her I will be able to cook a thanksgiving dinner for my kids. I am still in disbelief that someone would go out of their way to help."