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“I Just Cried”: Mystery Donor Pays Off Walmart Layaways in Ohio

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Deacon Greg Kandra - published on 12/16/15

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How’s this for a great story for the season:

A mystery donor told Walmart employees he likes to do something special on his birthday every year. This year, he spent his special day visiting two Northeast Ohio Walmarts and paying off the stores’ entire layaway tabs. That totaled more than $106,000. Managers said he made it very clear he wanted to remain anonymous. Steelyard Commons in Cleveland had the biggest layaway collection with nearly $70,000 in goods and Lorain had about $36,000. Items ranged from a pair of socks to 70-inch televisions — and tons and tons of toys. “It made me happy because I know a lot of customers walked out of the store or are coming in the store very positively impacted by it,” said Beverly Vargo, store manager of the Lorain Walmart. Tara Neal had paid off $10 on a ‘Frozen’-themed bed for her 3-year-old daughter when she got the call Tuesday morning that her layaway gift had been paid off. More than $80 was still remaining on the balance. With four kids at home, she said the holidays can be tough. “It’s such a blessing to know there are still people out there that care. It’s like Santa, like a real Santa to me,” Neal said. “I just cried,” added Cathie Cromwell, who was picking up her son’s gift. “It’s amazing someone would have this much compassion during the Christmas season to help us. To help people who maybe wouldn’t have had Christmas.”

Read on. 

Photo: Newsnet5.com

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