BOSTON (CBS) – Christmas came early this year for a handful of people who happened to be wandering past Park Street today in Boston.

Santa Claus was hanging around down there, and several of the people who spotted him were rewarded with cash.

Helpful Santa handed out a total of $300 and 100 lottery tickets.

He also gave out a bunch of envelopes with his contact information, inviting recipients to contact him and ask for money! Mr. Claus plans to give money to the very needy who get in touch with him.

If you missed out, he’s planning to be out on the streets of Boston again on June 2.

And by the way, Helpful Santa told CBS Boston he decided to hand out cash today simply because he’s trying to make the world and Boston a little better.