Stories of Kindness from Around the World

In 1971 a young man who grew up very poor was traveling across the country, trying to make a new start for himself. Along the way he had completely run out of money and was forced to spend the night in his car.

This continued until one morning, after a week of sleeping in his car, he walked nervously into a diner and ordered a big breakfast. After eating his first good meal in weeks, he found himself lying to the waiter, telling him he had ’lost his wallet.‘ The waiter, who was
also the owner, walked behind the stool where the young man had been sitting.

He bent down, and came up with a $20 bill that looked as if it had fallen on the floor. ’Son, you must have dropped this,‘ the owner said. The young man couldn’t believe his luck! He quickly paid for the breakfast, left a tip, bought gas with the change, and headed West.

On the way out of town, it dawned on him. ‘Maybe nobody dropped the money at all. Maybe that fella just knew I was in trouble and he helped me in a way that didn’t embarrass me. I’d been praying for a few days before that, and right then I just made a little promise. I said, ‘Lord, if ever you put me in a position to help other people, I will do it.’

Now older, the man lives near Kansas City. Each year he gives away thousands of dollars, primarily in increments of $100. He is known as the ‘Secret Santa,’ because at Christmas time each year, he personally hands money out to those on the street, at laundromats, and at diners. Last year, he gave more than $50,000 away in Kansas City and New York City.

‘I’ve lived the story, so I know it’s definitely more blessed to give than receive, because it comes back to you many, many times over,’ he says. He is grateful to be able to share the gift that blessed his life so many years ago. ‘It’s something that never happened to them before,’ he says. ‘It restores some faith in humanity.