Nov 20 2006
Larry "Secret Santa" Stewart doesn't need help
Maybe you've heard that Secret Santa, who has been handing out cash anonymously for the past 35 holiday seasons in US cities, recently revealed his true identity. However, some ordinarily fair and balanced news outlets got the story wrong. He's not broke.
I received this e-mail over the weekend from Nick the Geek.
Hi Rich
Sorry for emailing you on a Sunday, but I really need your help. But it's not about me … it's about a man called Larry Stewart.
For the past 26 years, somebody the media nicknamed "Secret Santa" has been anonymously and quietly been giving away money to people he saw on the street that could do with a "leg up" …
It's thought that over the years he's given away $1.3 million – even at times when he didn't have much, he still gave …
Larry has decided to reveal his identity in the hope that others might also become "Secret Santas" and help those less fortunate.
Unfortunately, there's a problem …
Larry has cancer of the esophagus which has spread to his liver. He's managed to secure a place on a clinical trial for treatment at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, but at a cost of $16,000/month not including travelling expenses …
He's not sure how long he can keep financing this treatment as his insurance company won't pick up the tab as it's a clinical trial.
I've setup a blog to help spread the word about Larry.
Please tell whoever you can and donate whatever you can to help Larry … we really need more people like this in the world.
Here's the blog:
helpsecretsanta.blogspot.com
I won't take up any more of your time.
Thanks for reading and have a great Sunday …
Cheers
Nick
)
From a Google search, Nick seems a bit shady. Not entirely, just a bit. So I asked Larry if he was aware of this grassroots charity.
To Whom It May Concern:,
Please do NOT allow anyone to collect money on behalf of or for Secret Santa. I am NOT broke or destitute as some have implied. I only wish that the dollars I spend for medical care could go out on the streets to those in need.
Thank you for your “heads-up”.
Larry Stewart ~Secret Santa~
It's entirely possible Nick's heart is in the right place. Just a head's up because Nick seems to be promoting his charity blog pretty far and wide.
What bothers me is I was this close to donating $10, but decided to do a little research first.
Supposedly similar posts:
- None Found
10 Responses to “Larry "Secret Santa" Stewart doesn't need help”
Are you sure he doesn't live in Nigeria?
Nice work, It's fun to hunt people down with Google.
Wouldn't the best way to help Mr. Stewart be to give the money directly to a homeless person? Cancer or not, his life's work seems to have been trying to help people who were down and out.
I like this bullshit-busting turn HFJ has been taking lately, Rich. Keep up the good work.
Speaking of Googling people, did I ever tell the story about the distant relative whose name is exactly the same as mine? He's into "The Lifestyle," otherwise know as swinging. And he posts messages to newsgroups and online forums using his real name. I worry that one day some company's HR department is going to search my online history and he's going to cost me a job.
Yes, that would be the best way to honor him. Personally, if I were ever to give money away similar to him, no one would ever know about it.
It's good for the soul to have good secrets about yourself.
So can I start a rumor that you are responsible for all the inexplicable good things that happen?
"Hey Joe, I was flat broke and hungry and just happened to find a crisp new ichi-man on the ground."
"Oh, that? That was Rich Pav."
You'll be a legend.
Is that your cover up?
Just kidding! That or his popularity could land you a job somewhere… lol
Just wanted to say that I'm new to your blog from tonight and am enjoying reading back through it. From the UK here, just thought it polite to tell you that I am interested in your little world
Rich…where are you?
Witness Protection Program.