Family Who Fostered Nearly A Dozen Kids Gets Life-Changing Christmas Surprise

December 23, 2025

Even the most giving hearts can find themselves in need of a little help — and this Christmas season brought more than its share of challenges for Jacob and Samantha.

Jacob and Samantha / East Idaho News

The couple met while attending BYU-Idaho. Samantha, originally from Zimbabwe, later moved with Jacob to Blackfoot, where he worked at a fabrication shop and she dedicated her days to teaching children with special needs. While waiting to start a family of their own, they felt called to open their home to children who needed one.

Over the years, they’ve fostered nearly a dozen kids. Today, they’re caring for three young boys they hope to adopt, and last summer, they welcomed their teenage daughter from Zimbabwe through an international adoption — a joyful moment that also came with significant expenses.

Just weeks before the holidays, things took a heartbreaking turn.

After helping friends move, Jacob and Samantha hit a deer on their way home. The crash totaled their family vehicle, and insurance declined to cover the loss. With four children and two adults to get where they need to go, the family has been relying on a single pickup truck to manage daily life.

Then came another blow.

Jacob was laid off from his job, adding even more uncertainty during an already stressful season. Each morning, he drops Samantha and the children off at school before spending his days searching for new work — all while trying to keep the family moving forward.

After hearing about the family’s situation, a Secret Santa teamed up with the East Idaho News to deliver an unforgettable Christmas surprise.