$13,000 given to the needy
An anonymous donor known as the Eldorado Elf continued a holiday tradition by handing out $10 bills to people at the Midnight Mission in Los Angeles. Each member in a family of seven got $10, including an infant in a stroller. The shelter estimates that $13,000 was distributed to the homeless and poor on skid row. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)
The donor a 67-year-old, semi-retired lawyer whose nickname was inspired by his Cadillac Eldorado holds out cash for the needy. He said the money comes from himself and his friends, and that he does not regret giving it out even though the poor economy has hurt his own finances. Just because Ive taken a hit, is that any reason that the homeless should suffer? he said. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)
A woman helps hand out $10 bills at the Midnight Mission. The tradition dates to the early 1980s, when car dealer Ronald Moran began showing up in a Cadillac to pass out thousands of dollars. When the man known as Cadillac Santa died in 1992, his friend the attorney for Morans dealership took over the handout. He showed up in a Cadillac Eldorado and thus was born the Eldorado Elf. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)
The homeless and needy leave the Midnight Mission after receiving a $10 bill. Hundreds of people lined up around the building, and some said they had waited in line up to eight hours. If youre homeless and you have $10,” the Eldorado Elf said, “its the world. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)
A man shows his excitement over receiving the $10 gift, which he said he would spend on food. Many of the recipients beamed as they clutched the new bills, and a few sniffed or kissed the money. For the anonymous donor who distributed the money, he said its the highlight of my year. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)
