Larry Stewart Biography

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Larry Stewart is a philanthropist from Kansas City known as "Secret Santa". After poor beginnings, Stewart has spent the years since 1970 anonymously giving out small amounts of cash, often $100 bills, to needy people. Although he has also given money to community charities in Kansas City and his hometown of Bruce, Mississippi, he believes in handing out cash to people because it's something people don't have to, as he says, "beg for, get in line for, or apply for." He made his fortune through cable television and long distance calling, and has now given out almost $1.3 million. Stewart worked to keep his identity hidden until 2006 when he was diagnosed with esophageal cancer. In order to begin speaking publicly to encourage others to practice philanthropy, he disclosed his identity.

Stewart's acts of kindness have not been restricted to the Kansas City area. He has travelled to different metropolitan areas during times of local tragedy. He went to New York in 2001 and Mississippi in 2005 after Hurricane Katrina devastated the area. Recently, he has begun "training" other Secret Santas, who are scheduled to give out $65,000 this holiday season, in addition to the money Stewart gives out.

His philanthropy was supported and recognized by a number of well-known people, including Buck O'Neil, George Brett, Oprah, and, in 2006 in Chicago, Dick Butkus.

References

• http://www.secretsantabook.com/
  
• Illness Unmasks Generous "Secret Santa"
  
• Cancer-stricken Secret Santa comes out of the shadows
  
• Yahoo! News/AP Secret Santa reveals his identity
  
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