But this year was extra special!

ATLANTA — A Georgia boy is touching hearts with his lesson in Christmas spirit.

For six years in a row, Jerry Hatcher, Jr. has gotten up well before dawn of Christmas Eve to put on his formal clothes to ride with his parents to Scottish Rite Hospital in Atlanta.

Each Christmas Eve, Jerry uses the money he's earned and saved all year long to spread Christmas cheer to families who have to spend the holiday at the hospital. He knows how tough it is because he almost lost his brother to illness not long ago.

Jerry hides near the cafeteria cash register and waits for patients' parents to pull out their wallets - then, with a "Merry Christmas," surprises them by paying for their meal.

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The tradition started on Dec. 24, 2013, when Jerry was just 8 years old. He continued it again this Christmas Eve. But this year was even more special. Because of his fundraising efforts, Jerry, now 13, was able to raise more $5,000 - enough to pay for patients' families AND hospital staff.

A representative from Children's Hospital of Atlanta wrote that all were "thrilled to witness Jerry’s generosity and just how much he’s grown since his very first Christmas Eve at Children’s five years ago."