This Santa Is Real - But Very Secret

Imagine A Stranger Giving You $100 -- This Businessman Makes That His Holiday Job

(CBS)  Just imagine you go to a thrift store to pick up a door - when a stranger comes over sounding like he’s trying to pick up … you.

“Shop in this place very often?” a man says.

He lures you behind said door …

“Come over here,” he says.

And then he whispers: “I’m Secret Santa.”

You can’t call the cops - they’re in on it. And beside, there’s no law against making someone’s day, CBS News correspondent Steve Hartman reports.

“And this is for you,” he says, handing his victim some dollar bills. “Merry Christmas.”

“They know they just received something totally unconditional and it was based on nothing more than love - from one human being to another,” he told Hartman.

Secret Santa, who wishes to remain secret, will only say that he is a businessman from Kansas City. His plan is to cross the country - going into dozens of thrift stores, laundromats and bus stations, and going up to hundreds of strangers who seem like they could use a Franklin or two.

“I’d like to give you this: $200,” Santa says.

By Christmas he’ll have given out $75,000 worth of hundred-dollar bills.

“Is this for real?” one man, named Robert Young, asked.

“It's for real, buddy,” Santa said.

“And I can keep it?” Young asked.

“It's yours and you can keep it,” Santa said.

“God bless you,” Young said.

Young is homeless. He was down to his last 20 cents.

Susan Dahl is homeless, too. She was down to her last straw.

“You have use for it?” Santa asked.

“Oh yes, I'm going to go find myself a motel room and get a shower. I've been in the same clothes, people, for 5 days!” Dahl said. “I'm the happiest person in the world right now.”

Secret Santa says that joy, that tremendous return on investment - is part of the reason he’s doing this.

But here’s the bigger reason: Larry Stewart.

Stewart was the original Secret Santa. He kept his identity hidden for 25 years, while giving out more than a million dollars.

Stewart said of his Secret Santa gig: "It warms my heart."

Stewart died last year of esophageal cancer. And on his death bed, a dear friend promised to not let Secret Santa die with him.

“He just squeezed my hand,” Secret Santa said. “He didn't say anything.”

So, Secret Santa carries on, making perfect smiles on perfect strangers. And like Stewart before, all he ever asks in return is that people do a random act of kindness for someone else someday.

“Can you do that?” he asked one woman.

“You betcha,” she said.

“Secret Santa lives in each and everyone of us,” Santa said. “It's just a matter of letting him out."

[lynchbunny]

To solider4us: Thanks for your advice...if it were that simple. My son has schizophrenia. He needs medicine which he will not take. My doors are open as they were for 21 years. He chooses the street not me. The many doctor''s and mental health experts that I spent thousands of dollars on apparently did not work. I do see him regularly but he refuses help. Believe me, I am not alone in this type of situation. I do not believe mental institutions are the answer but getting change with how the medical society, government and the average person views mental health, what are my options along with the many others that are in the same situation. Thanks for your comments.

[michellem99-2009]

WHAT A LOVELY STORY..I DON''T EVEN WANT TO KNOW WHO THE GENT IS. It ptsses me the scams/greed that runs wild in this nation. I AM SADDEN THAT OTHERS RIP PEOPLE OFF. BE CAREFUL..Yer can''t trust every body as they may be on the take.

[jonesforch]

MERRY CHRISTMAS !!!! WOW GREAT STORY. not Happy Holidys!!! Not Season Greetings !!! MERRY CHRISTMAS
You don''t like this then do not read a story About giving.

[toolmangler-2009]

You are seeing a former ''poor'' man, They don''t forget what ''need'' is all about. GOD Bless you sir.

[soldier4us]

Wow Lynchbunny, I''m kind of confused. Why doesn''t your son come live with you? You CAN NOT tell me he enjoys life on the streets. Good for him for not turning to drugs but NO ONE want''s to live on the streets!!! And of course he doesn''t want to stay at a mental facility, would you?!

[lynchbunny]

A agree with mysti_usa. Any act of kindness can help those in need. My son is homeless. He was diagnosis with a mental illness a few years ago but chooses the street over the drugs that would help him live an somewhat ordinary life. The way mental health is handled in this country is awful and I can not force him into any type of medical facility because he is an adult. Officials say the only way they can pick him up is for him to hurt himself or someone else. What a joke!! If it were not for St Anthony''s and help from other kind people, he would most likely be dead. I make every effort to help someone in need even if is a samll cup of coffee. Money is great but extending a hand with a smile works wonders too.

[jw218389]

Pretty cool - most rich people feel as though the poor are defective.

This guy must be an exception...

[godsgirl9]

Greetings In The Name of Jesus, I know that you will probably never see this e-mail. I am a Christian women and I pray first that God%u2019s will be done for you to receive this note. I have asked the Lord to allow me to increase, in finding a job, and that he would increase me financially. In July I had a stroke and a heart attack, before that I lost a lot because of a scam. I just keep believing and trusting in the promise that the Lord has made. So if you Secret Santa read my e-mail wish it is not that I am requesting material things. But that maybe I can borrow what I need and pay it back in installments payment. Or that you will send me information on how I can start and be a success. I am asking the Lord to touch someone%u2019s heart that they will receive this and will help me. Not with gifts but information, and contacts. In Christ Mrs. Smith My e-mail is [e-mail]

[mysti_usa]

Loved your story on the Secret Santa. Too bad there aren''t more people in this world with that kind of heart. The "Pay It Forward" thing can really be done by everyone, you don''t need to have money; there are lots of things you can do for others.