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Money falls from sky on Clearwater Beach

Kevin Shelton, the "Money Man," gives away more than $10,000 by blasting into the air.

By TAMARA EL-KHOURY
Published September 5, 2005

CLEARWATER - Kevin Shelton knows the method he chooses to share his wealth is controversial.

Despite it, Sunday, he gave away more than $10,000 his way.

He's soft-spoken yet wears a vest with $2-bills strapped on.

He says he wants to inspire people to be generous and shows the thick wads of cash stuffed in his cargo shorts. He shows the tubes strapped to his waist that will blast mostly $2 bills mixed with some $1s and a few $100s into the air on an otherwise sleepy Sunday.

The 36-year-old lives in Odessa and makes his money in real estate. He said he grew up poor in Polo, Mo., where his dad went out to shoot dinner for his five kids.

Shelton never wavers from his mantra. He wants to brighten people's day and inspire them to do good for others. He said he does donate to charities.

Flanked by a couple of buddies and off-duty deputies from the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office, Shelton proved to be a pied piper for kids and adults.

Adam Grayston, 34, heard about Shelton from watching the news. He wanted an autographed bill for his girlfriend. Shelton whipped out his marker. "Lee, Blessings Kevin."

Shelton's last appearance in Florida two years ago at the BayWalk shopping complex in St. Petersburg resulted in 12 people being injured. A crowd of 500 showed up to the announced event that ended in a violent stampede for the money.

This time he caught beachgoers by surprise and brought security.

"Hey brother, how's it going?" he said as he handed out a bill.

Some beach visitors sat and watched the odd event from the safety of their beach umbrellas while others left the surf to follow Shelton. The crowd remained contained but it was difficult to tell which adults were participating in the stunt and which were just eyeing their kids.

A sand volleyball game was interrupted as Shelton staked a spot by Pier 60.

Shelton backed up and shot the first blast of bills in to the air. Adults and kids leapt in to the air and scrambled in the sand to recover the money.

"Why aren't they donating this to the hurricane fund or something," asked Michelle Harned, 14, of Palm Harbor as she clutched $7 in her hand.

She asked Shelton, who told her he planned this event since before Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast but planned on personally going to New Orleans to give out food and supplies.

Satisfied, she returned to the cluster to prepare another blast.

[Last modified September 5, 2005, 01:15:10]