Secret Santa pays off $10,000 of layaway items at local Walmart - WRDW-TV

Sunday, December 9, 2018
News 12 @ 11 O’clock

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Toys are stacked high at the Walmart on Deans Bridge Road. There's 16 days until Christmas, but here, a secret Santa came early with a gift to strangers.

A $10,000 anonymous donation.

"He didn't know anybody. He just wanted to come in and be a blessing to somebody. Well, a ton of people actually," Paul Askew, Co-manager of Walmart on Deans Bridge Road said.

The donation paid off 60 people's layaway bills.

"That's 60 families that are going to get whatever they need for Christmas this year."

"They're ecstatic. A couple customers actually thought it was a mistake. They called and were like, is this true? Did somebody make a mistake? But they only have to pay a penny," Askew said.

One penny for whatever items they had in their cart. It's a simple act of kindness, but Alecia says it goes a long way during the holidays.

"It can get a little stressful. Especially when you have bills coming up at the same time and you just don't know where it's going to come from," Alecia Brown, a shopper at Walmart said. "Everybody wants to have something nice for their kids during Christmas time."

Nittie says with 6 kids, she knows the stress.

"Shopping for 6 kids is expensive. And trying to balance out your paycheck and your bills," Nittie Brooks, a shopper at Walmart said.

She just paid off her bill, but knows what it's like not knowing if you can put presents under the tree.

"That's a great thing that someone did. And not even leaving a name. It's going to actually brighten a lot of kids spirits this year."

It's a gift that extends far beyond its value.

"The spirit of giving. Around these times, there's a lot of people that lost parents and loved ones and it's hard for them. So that one extra gift that says I care, goes a long way."

A gift that says someone out there cares.

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