Yeah, Right, Whatever

You may have heard about the Secret Santa who would go around handing out money during the month of December.

For 26 years, a man known only as Secret Santa has roamed the streets every December quietly giving people money. He started with $5 and $10 bills. As his fortune grew, so did the gifts. In recent years, Secret Santa has been handing out $100 bills, sometimes two or three at a time, to people in thrift stores, diners and parking lots. So far, he's anonymously given out about $1.3 million. It's been a long-held holiday mystery: Who is Secret Santa?

...(he) went to the bank that day and took out $200, then drove around looking for people who could use a lift. That was his "Christmas present to himself." He's hit the streets each December since.

Reporters have known his identity for years, honoring his request to remain anonymous. But Larry Stewart, ill from cancer treatments and wanting to pass on his generous spirit to others, has come out from behind the beard.

Now, his mission is bigger than handing out $100 bills. Stewart wants to speak to community groups about his devotion to kindness and to inspire others to donate their time and money.

"That's what we're here for," Stewart says, "to help other people out."

I'm not sure why that amazes me, but it does. His medical insurance won't cover his cancer treatments (which cost over $16,000 a month, when you add in travel and lodging), and he's concerned about his families finances. Nonetheless, his goal is to hand out over $100,000 this December. I guess this is still his Christmas present to himself.

Contageous random acts of kindness. That's a kind of virus I'd love for more people to catch.