Community Corner

Layaway Angels Back at Kmart

So far, layaway angels have paid off 10 layaway orders for Kmart customers.

The "layaway angels" have returned to Kmart.

While the manager of the Wilson Kmart had not reported any "angels," the Kmart site in South Whitehall had at least 10 people recently experience a true random act of kindness by having their Christmas gifts paid off.

Kmart Manager Sandra Villalobos said it's an emotional experience when people discover their balance has been paid.

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"There are people who have lost their jobs and come in to cancel their orders and then they find out it's been paid for," Villalobos said. "Some of them cry."

There was one time recently when a layaway angel was paying off an order and saw a man and his family trying to put a Christmas tree on layaway. Villalobos said Kmart doesn't layaway seasonal items and the kind-hearted shopper heard the conversation and paid for the tree.

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Kmart employee Caitlyn Denor said they look for layaway orders with lots of toys when an anonymous shopper wants to help. Kmart then calls customers to let them know their order has been paid. Denor said the reactions are priceless.

Some of these good Samaritans pay all but a dollar so customers who stop by to make a payment are surprised. Employees expect more layaway angels will stop by as Christmas nears.

Some people think the trend may have started in Michigan. Patch first reported on layaway angels in December 2011.  Stories of anonymous layaway payoffs were then reported from South Carolina to Iowa and Wisconsin to California. The wave of giving also cheered families in New Jersey.

 


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