A Missouri man posing as "Secret Santa" is giving away $100,000 this holiday season and spent a day in New Jersey and New York giving away money to people robbed of their belongings or homes by Superstorm Sandy.

AP Photo/Rich Schultz
AP Photo/Rich Schultz
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But the Kansas City businessman says money is not the issue. It's about random acts of kindness.

Secret Santa started his East Coast visit Thursday in Elizabeth, N.J. In Staten Island, the anonymous benefactor walked up to surprised residents and thrust $100 bills into their hands.

He said he is setting an example and hopes others will follow.

Keeping close watch over the cash handouts were his security entourage -- police officers in uniform from New York and New Jersey, plus FBI agents. Some wore red berets marked with the word "elf."

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

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