It all started in 2011 when someone paid off the layaway balance for a total stranger at a Kmart store. The
story caught on and before we knew it, the same random act of kindness was happening at major retailers all over the country. If you'd like to make someone's day this holiday season, we've put together a handy how-to-guide on how the process works at Kmart, Toys 'R' Us and Wal-Mart
KmartGo to the layaway counter at
your local Kmart store and let the associate know you want to pay off the layaway contract of another customer for the holidays. Provide Kmart associate with the amount you’d like to pay off or the specific in-basket items you’d like to help pay off such as toys, children’s shoes, clothes, etc. The associate will call the customer to tell them their balance has been paid. Layaway items must be picked up in the store where the merchandise is being held within 5 days after the final payment is made.
Deadline: None, with the exception of layaway contracts that include seasonal items like holiday wrapping paper, decorations, etc. Those must be paid by
December 1
st.
Kmart will be tracking where layaway angels show up and how much they spend this holiday season at
kmart.com/layawayangels.Toys 'R' UsGo to the customer service desk at
your local Toys 'R' Us and tell the associate you’d like to pay off a layaway contract for another customer for the holidays. The associate can find a layaway balance in your price range or you can make a payment in any amount. The associate will call the customer to tell them their balance has been paid. Depending on store traffic, the associate may not always be able to call the customer while you’re in the store.
Deadline: December 16
thBONUS: Toys 'R' Us has committed to donating $200 to
Toys for Tots every time a layaway angel pays off a stranger’s balance. The store chose that amount because it’s the average amount of a layaway contract.
Walmart Go to the layaway area in the back of
your local Walmart store and tell the associate you’d like to pay off a layaway contract for another customer for the holidays. The associate can find a layaway balance in your price range or you can make a payment in any amount. The associate will call the customer to tell them their balance has been paid.
Deadline: December 14th
