Larry Stewart – The Original Secret Santa

If you haven’t heard the story of Larry Stewart, then you’ve been missing out. Larry Stewart, regarded by many, as THE “Secret Santa”. This post is a summary of an article that appeared in USA Today.

This story is 100% completely true, just Google his name and you’ll come across hundreds of websites and news stories talking about this man, not to mention the Wikipedia page about him.

In short, Larry Stewart is an angel to many and his story to most, inspirational. For 27 years, Larry Stewart handed out thousands of dollars each Christmas season. Cash to those that looked like they could use a little extra help. People on the street, in restaurants, stores, bus stations, or wherever.

When Larry Stewart handed out money (usually in the form of $100 dollar bills), he did it anonymously. After he would give cash to someone that looked like they could use it, he’d then quietly disappear. For years no one knew the identity of this Secret Santa.

The USA Today profiled his story in 2001, but did not publish his name. Only recently did we learn that Secret Santa was in fact Larry Stewart from Kansas City, MO. Apparently, the Enquirer was set to report the identity of Secret Santa so Larry decided to come forward before the famous tabloid could break the news.

That’s just the beginning of the story:

Over the 27 year period that Secret Santa handed out money (1979-2006), it’s been estimated that the total given away is about 1.3 million dollars. Larry says that he’s been rewarded in return… “I see the smiles and looks of hopelessness turn to looks of hope in an instant,” he says. “After all, isn’t that what we were put here on Earth for – to help one another?”

Larry Stewart wasn’t always a wealthy man. As a matter fact, in the Winter of 1971 Larry found himself out of work when the company he worked for as a door to door salesman went out of business. He quickly ran out of money and hadn’t eaten for almost two days.

He decided that he was going to go to a restaurant, order food, then act like he lost his wallet when the bill came. Larry went to the Dixie Diner and ordered a hot meal and sure enough, when the bill came Larry started “looking for his wallet”. The owner of that diner, Ted Horn (who was also the waiter and cook), came over to the stool where Larry had been sitting and handed him a $20 bill and said “Son, you must have dropped this”.

After Larry left the diner, he realized that no one had dropped that money. The owner of that diner, Ted Horn, had helped him out in such a way as not to embarrass him. Right at that moment Larry made himself a promise. Larry was deeply touched. He said “Lord, if you ever put me in a position to help people, I will do it.”

A few years later, Larry made money, a lot of money, in the cable television and long distance business. He found himself in a position to keep that promise he made in 1971.

Larry started to help the less fortunate in 1979. He went to a drive-in and ordered hamburger and soft drink. He handed the car hop a $20 and told her to keep the change. The car hop was stunned. She said “You’re kidding!”. Larry said “No ma’am. Merry Christmas.” The car hop started crying and told Larry that he had no idea what that meant to her. And so started Larry’s trek as Secret Santa.

Larry Stewart didn’t receive tax breaks for handing out that money. His criteria? Not that strict. He’d just walk up to people in the street that looked like could use a little extra help that Christmas season and give them money. He’d find people in laundromats, pawn-shops, thrift stores, homeless shelters, bus stops, etc…

Lary Stewart passed away in January 2007 at the age of 58. His legacy lives on through others that have taken up the cause of “Secret Santa”: Secret Santa Website

One final note though, about 7 years before he died, Larry was able to track down the owner/waiter/cook of that diner he visited that fateful day in 1971. The diner owner was living in Tupelo, Miss. Larry handed Ted Horn an envelope with $10,000 in it. Horn said “You don’t have to do this.” and tried giving the money back to Larry. Larry told him to please keep the envelope. He said “I’ve come to pay you back.”

Isn’t just amazing how many angels don’t have wings!