Secret Santa hits KC streets

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- After spending three days handing out $25,000 in New York, Secret Santa hit streets in the Kansas City area again, spreading yuletide cheer and holiday cash for those in need.

The Jackson County businessman, who wishes to remain anonymous, has been handing out hundred-dollar bills for more than 20 years as his way of paying back the owner of a Mississippi diner who helped him when he was homeless.

On a trip to New York last week, he gave money to the homeless and made donations to charities.

On Friday and Saturday, he searched the Kansas City area for more "targets" -- people who looked like they needed extra money.

On Friday, Santa went to a Kansas City fire station to give $2,500 each to two families that had survived recent fire tragedies. He also gave them certificates honoring them as "John Tvedten angels," in honor of the Kansas City battalion chief who died fighting a warehouse fire two years ago.

Then, the firefighters surprised Santa. They slipped him a specially painted fire helmet with a white shield on the front that said "Tvedten Angel."

Santa melted.

"Awww," said Buck O'Neil, who was Santa's elf for the day. "You made Santa cry."