KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- There may be no snow on the ground, but Secret Santa made his way around Kansas City and other parts of the country this holiday season.

This year Santa gave away $100,000 to encourage others to follow his lead.

KMBC's Bev Chapman reported that Secret Santa is a stranger to most people he meets.

"Oh, I'm going to cry. I really am," said one person who was handed money from Secret Santa.

But in some cases, Secret Santa's reputation precedes him. He is the anonymous Kansas City businessman who knows what it is like to wander the streets homeless, Chapman said.

"God bless you. I'm going to get a room tonight," one man said.

Secret Santa moves about the country each Christmas, handing out $100 bills, trying to help wherever he can. This year, he headed south to Central Florida, where four hurricanes left more than 100 people dead and thousands of people homeless.

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"We slept in our truck three or four nights," one hurricane victim said.

"The wind was so strong, we honestly thought it would knock the windshield off the car," another hurricane victim said.

"How did he pick us? Just because we were sitting here?" one person asked.

Chapman said that Secret Santa has a way of finding the people who could use a little cash.

"This will help me pay for my laundry, too, and help me to buy some food," said one man who lost his job.

One man and his brother lost their home and their car.

"What am I going to do? Probably give half to the Lord next Sunday, and the other probably get a room tonight to keep warm," said a man.

"I tell you what. (Secret Santa) made my day, made my whole year as a matter of fact," one person said.

"I'm going to pay my phone bill so it doesn't get shut off tomorrow," another person said.

In addition to these random acts, Secret Santa got a little help from local deputies who led him to a 92-year-old man who was robbed after the hurricane.

Secret Santa also stopped at the home of some migrant workers who gave money to a faith healer to cure their terminally ill daughter. He gave them almost $3,000.

"Here I was worrying because Meals on Wheels is not bringing anything Christmas Eve or Christmas Day," said one woman who got some money from Secret Santa.

Besides handing out cash this year, Secret Santa is paying his respects to a friend who died last month -- Charlie Meyerson.

He asks only one thing of those who receive his gifts -- that one day, if they can, they will give to others.

"Secret Santa of KC, you don't even know. I'm ready to cry," said one person who was overwhelmed by his generosity.

Web Link:

If you would like to send a letter to Santa, visit SecretSantaUSA.com.