Rich “Santa Clauses” pay the toys of the needy families

A new Christmas tradition is spreading in the United States: wealthy “Santa Clauses” pay needy families to pay the bills for the toys.

Shoppers at an eastern Massachusetts toy store are getting an early Christmas present: All their layaway bills totaling $20,000 have been paid off by an anonymous woman dubbed “layaway angel.”

Employees at the Toys R Us in Bellingham, about 40 miles southwest of Boston, told The Milford Daily News that the woman paid off all 150 of the store's layaway accounts Wednesday.
Workers say the bubbly, older woman gave the store manager a hug and said: “If you have it, give it.” She also told an employee that paying all the bills would help her sleep better at night.

Toys R Us spokesman Bjorn Trowery says the woman is one of many “layaway angels” to pay off customers' bills at stores across the country in recent holiday seasons.

The company released a statement saying “this incredible act of kindness is a true illustration of holiday giving at its best.” (MTI)