DAILY SUNSHINE: Secret Santa hands out $100,000 to storm victims

By Catholic Online (NEWS CONSORTIUM)
12/3/2012
Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)

Anonymous donor hopes to set an example for others.

A Secret Santa made the rounds of New York last week handing out crisp, new $100 bills to victims of Superstorm Sandy. Many of the lucky recipients were residents on Staten Island who lost almost everything.

A recipient holds up a Secret Santa bill.

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BROOKLYN, NY (Catholic Online) - The anonymous Kansas City businessman spent a day with a police escort, handing out $100 bills stamped with the words "Secret Santa" on them. He passed through New Jersey and New York, surveying the damage and helping people along the way.

Many people had lost everything and were still living with friends and family.

The holiday season is especially hard on area residents who were heavily impacted by Superstorm Sandy. Many can barely provide for themselves and have no shelter of their own. The money allows some victims who are hungry to enjoy a hot meal and perhaps buy gifts for their children.

The benefactor told reporters that he planned to distribute some $100,000 in hundred dollar bills to storm victims. He explained that money wasn't the point however, but rather setting an example in a time of need.

"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!\" he said.

Many people were incredulous at first, worried they might be victims of a prank or the money might be fake, but they were assured, the gift was real.

For a thousand people in New York and New Jersey, the holiday season just got a tiny bit brighter thanks to one Secret Santa.

� 2012, Distributed by NEWS CONSORTIUM.

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Pope Benedict XVI's Prayer Intentions for January 2013
General Intention: The Faith of Christians. That in this Year of Faith Christians may deepen their knowledge of the mystery of Christ and witness joyfully to the gift of faith in him.
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Keywords: Secret Santa, Staten Island, $100, Superstorm Sandy

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