Janice Kennedy hugs her Secret Santa after getting a 0 dollar bill while looking for clothes at the Salvation Army store in Staten Island. (AP)
He’s “Sandy” Claus!
A wealthy, anonymous Missouri businessman passed out $100 bills yesterday to Staten Islanders still struggling to recover from last month’s superstorm.
“The money is not the point at all,” the donor said. “It’s about the random acts of kindness.”
The man went to the Veterans of Foreign Wars hall on Mill Road in the hard-hit Oakwood Beach section and dispensed cash to volunteers there.
“Almost everyone he ran into, he gave a $100 bill to,” a source said.
The Kansas City resident said he plans to give away $100,000 through the holiday season.
He also gave away money at a Salvation Army thrift store on Mosel Avenue.
The man, who was accompanied by law enforcement, wore a red beret, as did others in his entourage. The berets had “ELF” inscribed on them — standing for “Ever Lasting Friendship.”
The man said he was inspired by a friend, Larry Stewart, who gave money to strangers in need. Stewart died in 2007.
The donor first visited Elizabeth, NJ, and left in the afternoon.