San Mateo Layaway Angels Hit Kmart

Across the nation, unsung heroes full of the holiday giving spirit, are popping into their local Kmarts. Quietly walking up to the layaway counter and paying for a total stranger's bill, they are spreading joy this season.

This last Saturday I stopped in our San Mateo Kmart. I asked where the layaway counter was at customer service desk near the door. The friendly customer service person smiled and asked if was an angel. Ha! I have been called many things in my time but angel has never been on the list.

As I headed to the layaway counter, tucked in the far corner, a second Kmart employee asked if I was an angel. My husband looked at me like I had sprouted two heads.

As we walked, the employee (who asked to remain nameless) told me that in the last 24 hours 8 separate "angels" had come in and paid off total strangers' layaway accounts. The employees had taken the time to list the layaways that contained toys and clothes for children at the request of these same angels.

As we arrived at the counter there was a gentleman, who also asked to remain anonymous. He had read of this holiday phenomenon happening across the country in one paper or another. He couldn't remember where, but thought it would be nice to help his neighbors in San Mateo who might be struggling this holiday season. He asked the Kmart employee for a list of balances on layaways that contained toys or clothes for children and proceeded to pay off the balance on six of them. The grand total was over $1000.00! The employees assured him they would be calling the account owners to share the good news.

Right after him, another person stepped up and paid off a $50.00 account for a stranger and put another $20.00 towards a second account.

No gift, nor card, nor holiday outing has filled me with the spirit of the season that witnessing these acts of charity did. These "angels" want to make sure that their San Mateo neighbors share in the joy of the season.

I've never really shopped much at Kmart but after talking with employees so eager and proud to help, so happy to be a part of these acts of kindness, I will be back. Kmart may not have planned this, but as one of the last big retailers offering layaway, they will hopefully profit from it. This isn't a program of giving that has been formally set up, advertised, or planned for. After a news story about one so called angel paying off a stranger's account, it simply spread like wildfire.

This time of year in particular, many people quietly give to those in need around them with out a thought of thanks. I am lucky and proud to live in a city where so many give selflessly not just during the holidays, but year round. 

To the nameless gentleman Saturday at the San Mateo Kmart, and to all those around me in San Mateo who strive to make the world around them a better place: Thank you!