Somebody remembered what Christmas is supposed to be about.

Someone rembers what the holiday spirit is supposed to be all about; an anonymous woman went to a Kmart and payed off 3 random layaway bills. The only requirement; that there be toys listed on the layaway.

Secret Santa picks up 3 layaway bills

"This lady came up randomly and said, 'Can I, you know, pay off some people's layaway?'" said Dannell Goddard. Goddard works at Kmart in the layaway department. She told 24 Hour News 8 that when she first heard the request, she was a bit confused.

"I was like, 'Well, are you trying to pick them up? 'Cause you can't pick them up if you don't have an ID," Goddard said. "And [the mystery woman] replied, 'Nope, I just want to help people.'"

The woman looked through several of the about 800 layaway contract tickets at the store. She randomly picked and paid the bill on three of them. She paid about $500 between all three of them and left a $10 balance on each of the accounts

Wood 8 TV

But, that's not the end of the story; someone was inspired by this woman's act of kindness and went to that same Kmart and this person payed off $2000 worth of stranger's layaway bills.

‘Tis the Season: Secret Santas Pay Off Needy Families’ Layaway Bills at Local Kmart

But the story doesn’t end there. Just days after News 8 aired its report on the anonymous Secret Santa and “copycat” Samaritan also paid a visit to the Plainfield Kmart and settled 14 layaway bills totaling around $2,000.

The man, who also says he wishes to remain unidentified says he hopes that his copycatting will inspire other to copycat him.

The Blaze


Its nice to see that the spirit of greed hasn't completely taken over as the holiday spirit. Some people still remember what the spirit of Christmas is really all about.

Well, have to say that I have been down lately but this just made my year!

A little annoyed that just when I think I have mankind figured out to be selfish and uncaring, someone comes along and ruins my theory...

So I want to say to all on ATS...

Have a great Christmas and may peace be with all of you in the New Year!

Jude11

reply to post by FortAnthem


Wow our lord and savior is supposed to be glorified by getting cheap junk at K-mart? I don't think so. epic fail.

A very thoughtful, caring act. Hopefully it will inspire others to be kind and generous to their fellow-man for the other 11 months out of the year as well.

What a touching story. It's easy to forget these days that decent, selfless people DO still exist out there. I love the approach to. No % going to the needy in some distant cause you'll never know the details of for your money. You know exactly what you helped do for someone's Christmas because the items are right there to view.

I'd love to meet this lady and buy her dinner. I'm sure she'd be as interesting to talk with as she is generous to strangers.

^^ Another of those threads I with I could flag twice. They're rare, but this is sure one of them.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Originally posted by RightWingAvenger
reply to post by FortAnthem

 

Wow our lord and savior is supposed to be glorified by getting cheap junk at K-mart? I don't think so. epic fail.

Well yeah; shopping for stuff for your friends and relatives to show off how generous you are is the essence of tacky. Commercialism taking over this holiday has made everyone forget the true meaning of Christmas.

Spending your money to help out someone you don't know without asking for anything in return, not even any recognition, THAT is the definition of generosity. She wants to help someone she doesn't know to have a happy holiday. That is a true act of love for your fellow man.

I'm glad her act inspired another to follow her example. If we were only all willing to help even people we have never met, this world might be a better place.

In this economy, this woman's act is a true inspiration.

I cant help but see a marketing ploy by the Big k.
suspect story

That is a fantastic gesture.

If only Christmas was about what it use to be and not what big corporate stores want it to be.

It seems that every month has a big "must buy something" festivity. They are pros at sucking the money out of us and they do it through kids/guilt/emotions.

Some day, people are going to be happy and content to be amongst people. We will be on a constant state of the Holiday season. (Sounds like the brownie side of the sixties)

It would be nice to have someone smile at you and be kind to you every single day and return the favor as often as you can

Originally posted by RightWingAvenger
reply to post by FortAnthem

 

Wow our lord and savior is supposed to be glorified by getting cheap junk at K-mart? I don't think so. epic fail.

Fairly sure that christmas has always and will always be a way to get your money..
Imagine if we used all the money we spend on crap and gave it to charity

Christmas is an illusion whether its pagan or christian.

Just another one of many layers of control.

About this time of year they start showing a lot of crippled kids being helped by St Jude.. suffering with cancer, amputated legs etc to make you grateful for what you have. If it doesn't make you grateful then you are considered bad heartless and evil etc etc etc by the other tribe members that find it wonderful and glorious.

Its all manipulation....every last drop of it.


Newt Grinch for President

LOL...just kiddin about Newt...had to be silly there before i got all emotional.

I thought this was a generous and kind act, the children who will be receiving the gifts..they don't know anything about K-Mart..nor do they care..they only know they got a gift for Christmas.

The person who paid for the lay away items DID give to the charity of her choice..to children and to the parents who couldn't afford to pay their bill in one whack but still wanted to give gifts to their families. Maybe it will be the only gifts they get till next Christmas.

She probably wanted to know that an actual person..(not some corporate charity big wigs) actually got what they wanted for Christmas. Some years back, during Katrina people got discouraged because certain charities were keeping so much of what they took in for administrative costs. It was a scandal..at any rate I think this person is a hero and followed her heart..SnF Cheers Coco

PS Happy Holidays to you too Jude11

The best ever Christmas I had while growing up was when things were tight financially and we hand made our gifts. Yes, it was the thought that counted. Somehow, since then all other retail purchased gifts both given and received just haven't had the same feeling. My favorite all time and most cherished gifts are what my children made by hand.

Uplifting story!



I know someone who has dropped many silver dollars in the kettles around my city.

When things were tight for me and my family years back,The local Police Dept dropped off gifts for my children.How they knew I was off work,and in need, will always be a blessing that I will remember,and pass on every year.



Marine Toys for Tots Foundation

The Salvation Army

reply to post by FortAnthem


oh dear - what an idiot i am , i thought christtians celebrated christmass as a celebration of the birth of thier imaginary friend

Originally posted by SLAYER69
The best ever Christmas I had while growing up was when things were tight financially and we hand made our gifts. Yes, it was the thought that counted. Somehow, since then all other retail purchased gifts both given and received just haven't had the same feeling. My favorite all time and most cherished gifts are what my children made by hand.

So very true, the best presents I have from my family are the ones you know they've spent the time and effort to make themselves. It's this kind of thing that takes pride of place in our household, and is often remembered long after the shop bought stuff is forgotten. It is also very satisfying in reverse too, to see someone open a present you yourself have put the effort into and appreciate it, it brings home what this time of year should really be about.

Well, it's nice to see somebody forking out ca$h in the 'spirit' of Christmas, but Christmas is really to celebrate the birth of Christ.

Mind you, if you really want to do it right, do it the Orthodox way, and celebrate it in January.

Aww what a lovely gesture.
Imagine for a moment being one of those families.

Humanity isn't on its arse just yet, not while there are still awesome folks about.

Now, that's pretty damn awesome.
I don't know if it's "what Christmas is supposed to be about", but it's pretty damn awesome.

reply to post by Unrealised

I agree. Christmas is about Christ. But tell me, how you would like to have your kids get nothing, when all of their friends at school did? I agree Christmas has become a financial burden, but you can manifest Christ's spirit by giving. Anyways, thats what I tell myself! Merry Christmas everyone, and may you all know peace this holiday season!!!