Secret Santa - heart warming story

[pberq]

http://articles.news.aol.com/news/_a/grave-illness-unmasks-generous-secret/20061116231309990001?ncid=NWS00010000000001

Grave Illness Unmasks Generous 'Secret Santa'
Man Who Gives Money to the Needy Reveals Himself to Pass Mission on to Others

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (Nov. 17) - The answer to one of the happiest mysteries in the Kansas City area is being revealed this year. A man who has given away millions of dollars and become known as Secret Santa for handing out Christmas cash to the needy is allowing his name to be publicized after 26 years.

But the reason for the revelation is an unhappy one. Secret Santa has cancer. He wants to start speaking to community groups about his belief in random acts of kindness, but he can't do that without telling people who he is.

The man who has spread cheer for 26 years is Larry Stewart, 58, of Lee's Summit, who made his millions in cable television and long-distance telephone service.

Stewart told The Kansas City Star that he was the man who would walk up to complete strangers, hand them $100 bills, wish them "Merry Christmas" and walk away, leaving astonished and grateful people in his wake. He handed out money throughout the year, but he said it was the Christmas giving that gave him the most joy.

Now, he wants to inspire others to do the same. He said he thinks that people should know that he was born poor, was briefly homeless, dropped out of college, has been fired from jobs, and once even considered robbery.

But he said every time he hit a low point in his life, someone gave him money, food and hope, and that's why he has devoted his life to returning the favors. . . .

(more at link)

[Gormy Cuss]

1. Kick

I thought it was a great story of how a few simple kindnesses can pay such an enormous dividend. Even if he doesn't survive this battle he will die knowing that he made a difference.

[acmavm]

2. I am the one vote for the greatest page so far. Every now and

then a story comes along that illustrates the good that some people do for others. We should honor those stories and those people just like we do our political heros. The can be, and are, as inspiring as any sports or political or historical figure you can name.

This guy did not give up. He did get desperate. He did make bad decisions but he was smart and reconsidered them, and stopped himself from throwing his life away.

Show this story to your kids. Let them learn the lesson that maybe (because nothing is guaranteed in this life) if they try hard enough, even after life kicks you in the ass, you will persevere. And it's not necessarily how successful you are, the house you live in, or the cash in your pocket that determines your worth as a human being. It's how you treat others, especially when they're in need, that shows what kind of a person you are.

[pberq]

3. Christmas was special

http://articles.news.aol.com/news/_a/grave-illness-unmasks-generous-secret/20061117210809990006

<snip>
. . .But Christmas was special. He'd distribute thousands of dollars during visits to coin laundries, thrift stores, barbershops and diners. People shouted with joy, cried, praised the Lord, and thanked Stewart repeatedly.But Secret Santa moved on quickly to avoid attention.

He did sometimes invite newspaper and TV reporters along, if they promised not to reveal his identity. It was reporters who dubbed him "Secret Santa."

In 1989, after some people chased his car when they saw the cash he carried, he decided he needed protection. He called Jackson County Sheriff's Capt. Tom Phillips. "I thought, 'OK, this guy's nuts,"' recalls Phillips, now the Jackson County sheriff. "But at the end of the day, I was in tears - literally - just seeing what he did to people."

Eventually, Secret Santa took his sleigh ride to other places.

In 2001, after the terrorist attacks, he went to New York. The New York cop who accompanied him said he'd never forget the experience. . .

[ScreamingMeemie]

4. This should be moved to GD so it can make it on the Greatest page...

Truly inspiring. There is hope in the world after all.