A little something our office did last week as told by the lady that organized it:
After work yesterday Margie and I went to K Mart at I-17 and Northern with the $103 generously contributed by WRI regional staff. We found the Layaway counter way at the back of the store and joined the line. When it was our turn, we explained that we wanted to help someone pay off their Christmas layaway account and that in particular, we were hoping to help someone who had run out of time on their layaway. (After a specific number of days, if the account isnt paid off, Kmart returns the merchandise to stock.)
The clerks eyes lit up and she reached for a scrap of paper with notes on it. She explained that earlier that day she had called a customer, Michael, to tell him that they were going to return his layaway to stock because it wasnt paid off. He pleaded with her to give him until this weekend to pay it off as the layaway was his Christmas gifts of clothes and toys for his children. She explained the store policy and said she would see what she could do, but no promises. He said that he understood, was very polite and thanked her for trying to help him.
We asked how much he owed (holding our breath in fear it was more than we had), and the clerk said $100. UNbelievable. We paid his account off and stood there while she called Michael to tell him that a Secret Santa had paid his layaway account. He was absolutely thrilled and kept asking her, Are you kidding? ARE YOU KIDDING?? She told him No!! she wasnt kidding and to come pick up his merchandise. 
As we were leaving the store we gave the last $3 to the very nice Salvation Army volunteer who was ringing her Christmas bell.
After work yesterday Margie and I went to K Mart at I-17 and Northern with the $103 generously contributed by WRI regional staff. We found the Layaway counter way at the back of the store and joined the line. When it was our turn, we explained that we wanted to help someone pay off their Christmas layaway account and that in particular, we were hoping to help someone who had run out of time on their layaway. (After a specific number of days, if the account isnt paid off, Kmart returns the merchandise to stock.)
The clerks eyes lit up and she reached for a scrap of paper with notes on it. She explained that earlier that day she had called a customer, Michael, to tell him that they were going to return his layaway to stock because it wasnt paid off. He pleaded with her to give him until this weekend to pay it off as the layaway was his Christmas gifts of clothes and toys for his children. She explained the store policy and said she would see what she could do, but no promises. He said that he understood, was very polite and thanked her for trying to help him.
We asked how much he owed (holding our breath in fear it was more than we had), and the clerk said $100. UNbelievable. We paid his account off and stood there while she called Michael to tell him that a Secret Santa had paid his layaway account. He was absolutely thrilled and kept asking her, Are you kidding? ARE YOU KIDDING?? She told him No!! she wasnt kidding and to come pick up his merchandise. 
As we were leaving the store we gave the last $3 to the very nice Salvation Army volunteer who was ringing her Christmas bell.
