'Layaway angel' pays off 50 accounts
LONGVIEW, Wash. - Someone in the community gave a very generous gift to 50 people by secretly paying off their layaway accounts at a store in Longview.
Bob's Sporting Goods is not saying who the person is or how much they spent but if you do the math, it might be around $25,000.
"It's just a really cool thing to have happen," said Matt Schlecht, who runs the store that his grandfather opened 65 years ago. "They want no recognition - just wanted to make a few people in our community's Christmas a little bit brighter."
Most of the layaways were not toys. They were clothes - work clothes, solid and durable - so people can work hard and stay warm.
Many of the layaway customers thought it was a joke or a trick to get them to sign up for a credit card. But when they found out it was real, they were shocked, excited and overjoyed.
We called up Wayne Elkins, one of the people whose accounts was paid off. The store told him about the gift on Friday, the day of the shooting in Connecticut that rocked the nation.
"I did have an emotional reaction because of all the tragedy that happened that day and I actually cried for about 30 minutes," Elkins said.
"This was an awesome Christmas gift," he added. "I can't express my appreciation enough."
What a wonderful and Christlike thing to do. May the provider be blessed
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Merry Christmas all@
"This was an awesome Christmas gift," he added. "I can't express my appreciation enough."
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'Nuff said. Merry Christmas!
What a kind act in the spirit of the Christmas holiday.
Charity is always helping "someone else"...never people like me
 @archon312 There is a "law of attraction". What you put out will come back to you.
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Do something kind for someone else...hold a door open for someone going through, smile at someone, let someone else get in line in front of you....You get the point. Do something good for someone else, and you will have something good come back to you.Â
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@Brad Williams I know that many police and fire and tv stations have toy drives for the needy.My heart goes out to your friend.
Best story I've read in awhile... Nice..
This kind of sweet generosity is continuing to spread through "26 acts of kindness" in honor of the children killed in Conn. started by Ann Curry. Check it out, it'll make you want to join in especially after you read all the tweets of people who have joined in and the beautiful things they have randomly  been doing for their fellow people: http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/12/18/15999109-if-you-do-good-youll-feel-good-ann-curry-explains-origins-of-26acts-of-kindness?liteÂ
Perfect example of the GOOD that happens every day...! Story well worth covering...wish you would do more pieces like this :)
some special people out there...
That is so cool, what a great act of kindness and generosity
God bless the person that did this. What a wonderful compassionate and thoughtful person. A rarity these days !
Nice job to whoever did this. You are a credit to the human race and a humble person. My your life be blessed for your act of charity.
Pretty awesome!
This is such a cool gift this time of year! Truly, one that ranks up there with the Gifts of the Magi.