Secret Santa Hands Out Money To Sandy-Hit New York, New Jersey
My favorite thing about the holidays is that they really do tend to bring the best out of people. Overlooking the mayhem of Black Friday, people generally tend to be nicer, friendlier. For example, this year those effected by Superstorm Sandy have been receiving a much appreciated visit from Santa.
A Kansas City businessman has decided to Santa suit up and give away $100,000 in cash this holiday season to all those that lost their homes and belongings due to Sandy. He and his police escort go from town to town handing out crisp new $100 bills.
“The money is not the point at all,” said the anonymous benefactor as he walked up to bewildered Staten Island residents, “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!”
Santa has been riding around New York and New Jersey visiting several disaster centers. At one point he walked up to a women somberly collecting free food and basic necessities:
“Has anyone given you any money?” he asked her.
“No,” replied Carol Hefty, a 72-year-old retiree living in a home ravaged by the hurricane.
“Here,” he said, slipping the money into her hand.
“But this isn’t real money!” said Hefty, referring to the red “Secret Santa” stamped onto the $100.
“It is, and it’s for you,” he tells her.
She quickly wraps her arms around him, as she cannot help but breakdown and cry.
And so it went from town to town. 41-year-old Janice Kennedy was overwhelmed when she received four $100 bills. She had lost her home during the storm and she and her 2-year-old daughter have been staying with her boyfriend. She says she will use the money to buy her daughter Christmas presidents and hopefully be able to also buy her gifts for her upcoming birthday.
Secret Santa is following in the footsteps of his recently deceased friend Larry Stewart who had been handing out $100 bills to unsuspecting strangers in shelters, food pantries, and thrift stores. Stewart passed away in 2007 after giving away over $1,000,000 each December.
Paul Hudson | Elite.
