Kansas City has a new personality with a warm heart. And he’s already putting it to good use.

Maybe you’ve heard the story of how KCMO radio personality Van Patrick assisted in rescuing Paul Hayes, a disabled Navy veteran who was stranded in New Orleans.

On Sept. 7, a desperate Hayes called Patrick at the radio station. Patrick verified his story, then contacted U.S. Rep. Dennis Moore, who pulled some strings to help get Hayes to Kansas City.

Afterward, Patrick refused to take credit or conduct media interviews. He’s much too modest.

Friday morning, I saw him do something else amazing.

Patrick, who broadcast his radio show from George Brett’s on the Plaza, set out to raise $25,000 for the Salvation Army. He ended up raising $113,000 — in just 7 hours.

Patrick’s effort received strong support from celebrities like Brett, and Royals players John Buck and Jeremy Affeldt. Even Buck O’Neil stopped by to lend support.

“You’ve got to give it up,” O’Neil urged listeners with his trademark saying.

Patrick moved here with his wife and two children six months ago from Minneapolis. He is from Pittsburg, Kan., and feels as if he’s come home.

Last week he spent a frigid night with Salvation Army volunteers as they delivered meals and supplies to homeless people under bridges and overpasses. The excursion left him with a lasting impression.

So when Patrick hit the airwaves at 5 a.m. Friday, he had no idea how much money he would raise. He just knew he wanted to make a difference.

“Whatever we make is more than they had,” Patrick said.

As the pledges, checks and challenges rolled in, everyone seemed surprised by the enthusiasm that Patrick brought to the cause.

Over the last decade, Brett has worked with Mike Murphy on similar Salvation Army fund-raisers.

“This was the first time I met Van,” Brett told me. “I think he did a great job. He’s got some huge shoes to fill.”

Hayes, the man Patrick helped save from New Orleans, also dropped by to lend support.

“Van is the finest person I have ever met in my entire life,” Hayes said. “He didn’t need to throw himself into saving me. But he did.

“Now that I’m here, when I’m in the hospital, he comes to the hospital. When I get out of the hospital, he comes to my apartment to just make sure I’m all right.”

Tonight, Patrick is having a Christmas party at his home.

“An hour and a half before the event, he plans on picking up one of his guests,” Hayes said of himself. “You can’t say enough about Van.”

Ted Dalberg, division commander of the Salvation Army’s Kansas and Western Missouri Division, watched in amazement as the money poured in.

“Van Patrick has just been outstanding,” Dalberg said. “We couldn’t have paid for this. He’s got a great spirit. Since he went with our volunteers, he’s been a ball of fire. The success of this event has opened our eyes to what his potential is in the community. He can become that caring voice we need. People have responded.”

After announcing the total raised by the event and thanking the public, he signed off the air. As he put his headphones down, I saw him wipe his eyes.

“Your heart swells,” Patrick said.

What Patrick will do for an encore, I’m not really sure. But saving a Navy veteran from desperate conditions in New Orleans and then inspiring the community to give well beyond the goal for a worthy cause is what I call a pretty good start in Kansas City.