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Rich Schultz / AP
Janice Kennedy hugs "Secret Santa" after getting a $100 dollar bill from the wealthy philanthropist at the Salvation Army store in Staten Island.
NEW YORK - A wealthy Missouri man posing as "Secret Santa" stunned New Yorkers, handing $100 bills to many in Staten Island who had lost everything to Superstorm Sandy.
The Kansas City businessman is giving away $100,000 this holiday season, and spent the day in New Jersey and New York giving away thousands. But he says money is not the issue.
"The money is not the point at all," said the anonymous benefactor on Thursday as he walked up to surprised Staten Island residents and thrust crisp bills into their hands. "It's about the random acts of kindness. I'm just setting an example, and if 10 percent of the people who see me emulate what I'm doing, anybody can be a Secret Santa!"
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A police motorcade with sirens took him across the borough, passing a church ripped from its foundations and homes surrounded by debris. At a nearby disaster center run by volunteers, a woman quietly collected free food and basic goods.
"Has anyone given you any money?" he asked her.
"No," replied Carol Hefty, a 72-year-old retiree living in a damaged home.
"Here," he said, slipping the money into her hand.
"But this isn't real money!" said Hefty, glancing at the red "Secret Santa" stamped onto the $100.
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"It is, and it's for you," he told her.
She broke down weeping and hugged him.
And so it went, again and again.
Santa's security entourage
Secret Santa started his daylong East Coast visit with stops in Elizabeth, N.J. Keeping close watch over the cash handouts was his security entourage — police officers in uniform from New York and New Jersey, plus FBI agents and former agents from various states. Some have become supporters, wearing red caps marked with the word "elf" and assisting "Santa" to choose locations where people are most in need. He himself wears an "elf" cap and a red top, plus blue jeans.
The group must choose stops carefully, and refrain from simply appearing outdoors in a neighborhood, lest they be mobbed by people hearing that cash is being handed out.
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At a stop at a Staten Island Salvation Army store, one woman was looking over a $4 handbag. "But you get $100!" he told her, offering the bill.
"Are you serious?" said Prudence Onesto, her eyes widening. "Really?"
"Secret Santa," he deadpanned, breaking into a broad grin.
The 55-year-old unemployed woman opened her arms and offered him a hug.
An aisle over, 41-year-old Janice Kennedy was overwhelmed: She received four $100 bills.
Unemployed with a 2-year-old daughter, she lost her home in the storm and lives with her boyfriend. The money will go toward Christmas presents and her toddler's next birthday.
"You're not alone. God bless you!" the Missouri stranger told Phillip and Lisa Morris, a couple in their 30s whose home was badly damaged — but now had an extra $300 in cash for rebuilding.
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Secret Santa took up the holiday tradition from a close Kansas City friend, Larry Stewart, who for years handed out bills each December to unsuspecting strangers in thrift stores, food pantries and shelters. Stewart died in 2007 after giving away more than $1 million to strangers in mostly $100 bills.
The current Secret Santa will not divulge his name. Nor does he allow his face to be photographed. But he said he's been to cities across America, from San Diego to Chicago to Charlotte, N.C.
A reporter asked whether he might be a sort of Warren Buffett of Kansas City. He smiled mysteriously and said only that he admires Buffett for his philanthropy. "And I hope I give all my money away before I die."
Then, as suddenly as he arrived, the generous stranger left for the airport and home, riding in the volunteer motorcade he jokingly calls "my sleigh," zipping with ease through red lights and city traffic.
A man posing as Secret Santa brought smiles to New York and New Jersey residents by handing out 100 dollar bills to people affected by Hurricane Sandy. TODAY.com's Dara Brown reports.
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Leave a Comment:
This guy is having a ball giving away his money to people who really need it and what a great man he is for doing so. I hope that all the folks who get a $100.00 bill remember his charity and somday possibly help out someone else who is down on there luck etc.
Wish I myself could someday do something like this but I know that isn't going to be happening anytime soon but hey its not about the money always as it is the helping people when they need it the most in whatever way we all can.
Happy Holidays everyone!
"... she lost her home in the storm and lives with her boyfriend."
The agony.
Yet nobody discusses insurance payments.
now, if only the likes of Sheldon Adelson, Foster Friess, and other filthy rich CEO's would follow suite instead of worrying more about their own deep pockets getting deeper...Secret Santa, i not only salute you but must say you are whats great about this country!
Pay it forward, and it doesn't have to be with money. Everything responds to kindness...
Cheetah -- insurance doesn't nearly cover the monetary cost to say nothing of the emotional cost of such a disaster. But I'm guessing you knew that ...
I love this. He visited my city last year.
This is what I would do if I had won the Powerball.
A few years ago , at our trucking company Christmas party, I started a 50/50 draw, a dollar a ticket. Half of the proceeds went to the draw winner and the other half, well that is the rest of the story....
Most of us know a family that is down on their luck and facing a rough holiday season through no fault of their own. So the drivers and I (sometimes with the help of a local food bank), would select a family, usually without their knowledge. We would buy gifts aimed at their kids age groups. This was made easier by a locally owned toy store that would give us toys at cost,and they knew the best toys that the kids would like. A grocery store gave us a $75 gift certificate which we added to, to ensure they had enough food for a nice big meal. So 50% of the draw money went to buy toys and groceries and give the family a really good Christmas. And the winner would donate their winnings back to the family too. As a result of this small gesture, a family facing a dismal holiday ended up with $6-700 worth of unexpected joy.
Imagine the happiness on their faces when we showed up unexpectedly with bags of gifts and food. And we felt good we had done something to help in our own little way. I would encourage other random acts of kindness.
That's such a great idea, and so easy to do. Thank you.
The best Christmas ever was the year my book club friends and I adopted a neighbor of mine who had 2 young daughters, her husband was out of work, she had kidney disease and on a transplant list. No SDI yet, no food, no gifts for the kids. We provided them with food for Thanksgiving and came back with more for Christmas; enough for all the meals in between and then some. Mom broke down and cried, dad had tears in his eyes and I did too. Oh, and we aren't by any means rich, just getting by, but we did have a great time doing it. We still do this, but that year was extra special.
Pass it on folks, your heart will be filled by giving.
What a wonderful person!! thank you for your random acts of kindness. if we all can follow his gesture in some way - donations, volunteering at a shelter, assisting a person with their bags - this world would be a better place
This man came around at the perfect time. So glad that there are still individuals out there that are capable of and give a little help to others.
Cain asked GOD, "Am I my brothers keeper?"
The truth of the matter is YES sometimes. GOD blesses us to also be a blessing to others.
May GOG bless this man for his kind heart... :)
The Lord also said that one should give alms in secret. Do not let people see you. This man got his reward here on earth but still it is a wonderful thing he is doing. Giving through taxes is one way another is to send anonymous cashier checks to charities that will help the families of disaster.
Huskergal....This verse was referring to being boastful about what you are doing. Giving to the needy so that you could be praised for doing so by those arround you....for show. He doesnt allow his picture to be taken. It is hard to give without being seen. If you help someone by providing them a blanket or by giving them water......they will surely see you and you will be seen by those in close proximity. It is presumptive to suggest that he is receiving his reward because those he is giving to have knowledge of it. P.S. Each person must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or out of compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver...............(Doesn't necessarily apply to giving through taxes if you ask me.)
There need to be more like him. Merry Christmas!
There are ways to give without being seen. One just has to figure out how to do it.
if I'd won the Powerball this week I'd be out doing the same. Too bad I didn't- I could've helped a lot of folks.
He must be running for office.
No dumb@$$. If that were thae case he wouldn't be keeping his identity a secret.
I was gonna call you "worthless", but just will say that your comment is worthless.
What a wonderful person! After hearing about the pigs who waste their riches on their gluttony, this story helps to remind me that there are good rich people. I wish we could see more stories like this instead of Kim K.'s fake weddings or Lindsey's latest run in with the law. Romney lost his run for the presidency because we common folk don't hear about these good citizens who use their blessings to bless others. But they really exist!
More news like this please!!! Look at the comments here, media, and decide what you want to do for people. Do you want to make them happy or make them scared and sad?
Very touching story. God bless you sir, whoever you are.
I was crying and had only read 1/2 of this article. This is what it is all about, helping others. A rich man will never enter the kingdom of God, easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, right? Like the cop that bought the homeless man shoes, how many of you would have walked right on by? Please people, open your eyes and give from your heart. HELP THE POOR. GOD IS WATCHING!!!!!
An AMAZING story! Thanks Verena Dobnik & MSNBC for sharing! Other than having love in one's life, there is no greater individual feeling in the whole world than the feeling one gets from helping another; especially when the help is just a random act of kindness. I would encourage EVERYONE to pay it forward, engage in an unsolicited act of kindness, give a little help to someone we don't know. I know most people already help out our own friends and loved ones (and our loved ones help us out too!) and that is AWESOME and keep it up. There is just something different, though, when you help someone that you DON'T know - you don't know their story, you don't know their name and you will never see them again (probably). I dunno...Happy Holidays!
This happened to me also after Katrina.
My home went under 32 feet of water and we lost everything.
There was a supply distribution center by my house and I was there getting cleaning supplies and a man walked
up to me and siad "Here, I know you need this".
In his hand he had a $100.00 bill.
I told him thanks, but I was employed with the Hurricane Hunters and was doing fine money-wise.
I asked him to give it to someone who was worse off than I was, and he did.
Both of these people deserve Humanitarian Awards.
There ARE a few good people left in this world.
Thank you for what you did!!! It wasn't something you had to do.
Yes, I had to do it.
There were many more in Pass Christian MS (where I lived) who lost more than me.
I had insurance and was able to re-build.
Katrina was my "retirement" hurricane.
I retired as a crew chief of 25 years, (Hurricane Hunter flight mechanic) right after this storm.
And thanks for the thanks.
I would have done the same for you.
This is inspiring. I would do this all the time if I had the money to do it. It was part of my Powerball daydream. God bless this man.
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This is a heartwarming story of generosity! One wonders what our world would look like if we all gave just a little of what we have to make it a better place!
I always wanted to be able to do this but never have had the means. I did help a couple in a very small way last christmas and i'm sharing this because you might want to do it. I was in the drive thru at McDonalds and when I paid for my order I ask the girl how much the car behind me owed,she gave me the total and I paid for their order and told the girl to tell them merry christmas. It was a small gesture but it made me feel good. You don't have to have alot of money to help others the smallest thing may just be the best thing you could do for somebody. You never know what the person behind you may be going through.
Even the small acts of kindness mea a lot and go a long way!!! The world just needs more folks like yourself who are willing to step up and take action. :D
May the Lord bless this man for his kindly and generous soul.
Yet another example of how stingy those blasted "rich people" are that don't care about anyone...and don't "pay their fair share"....
this to me gives and is the TRUE meaning of st.nick aka Santa. this "secret Santa" is a saint of a true American soul. it is folks like this whom DO go to heaven after they die.
putting natural dissaster victims before ones self is a very rare attitude these days.
congratulations dear sir for doing what the epa won't do.
A true saint...may God bless this man and all he is doing for others.
Larry Stewart (aka Bubba) is smiling!!! May God bless you and all the "secret santa's" for continuing the selfless act of kindness!!!
God Bless!!!