Ulysees Gilbert Pays Off Layaways for the Fourth Year in a Row
Ocala and Tampa, FL - Ulysees Gilbert, linebacker for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, surprised families at Citi Trends stores in Ocala and Tampa, Florida on December 21st, 2022.
Nearly 80 families had their layaway balances paid in full by the football star. The surprise came just one day before all unclaimed layaway items were going to be returned to the shelves.
This is the fourth year Gilbert has worked with Pay Away the Layaway to surprise families. Since 2019, he has helped spread cheer and pay off unsuspecting families layaways in time for the holidays.
In 2019, Ulysees helped to surprise 60 families at the Ocala Burlington store by paying off their layaways just before the holidays. One woman who had her layaway paid said it was the kindest gesture she had ever received. He also partnered with Pay Away in 2020 and 2021 to pay off a total of 141 layaways in Ocala and Orlando Florida.
About Pay Away
Pay Away the Layaway’s mission is to spread joy and kindness to families. For 10 years, the organization has surprised unsuspecting families by paying off their layaway balances across the country. Give now at payaway.org/give
Pay Away the Layaway Teams Up With WHIO-TV to Suprise Families for the Holidays
Dayton, OH - On December 21st, 10 families were met with a huge surprise in the Dayton Burlington store. WHIO-TV teamed up with Pay Away the Layaway to give away 10 gift cards to families in need.
This is not their first time teaming up with Pay Away to help bring joy to families during the holiday season. In past years, WHIO-TV has paid off over 150 layaways at the Dayton area Burlington store.
One woman received a gift card for her family. She said “We have nothing for Christmas, so this is us getting started. It’s just really been a rough few months, so it’s really going to help us get Christmas going.”
WHIO-TV broadcasted the event live as Storm Center 7 Chief Meteorologist, McCall Vrydaghs was at the store handing out $1,000 gift cards and spreading joy.
About Pay Away
Pay Away the Layaway’s mission is to spread joy and kindness to families. For 10 years, the organization has surprised unsuspecting families by paying off their layaway balances across the country. Give now at payaway.org/give
Pay Away the Layaway Rings the Closing Bell at Nasdaq
New York, NY - In recognition of the organization’s 10th Anniversary, Pay Away the Layaway’s Founder Lee Karchawer and Executive Director Adam Wilbur rang the closing bell at Nasdaq in Times Square on December 21, 2022.
Karchawer spoke about the organization’s mission and what it means to have reached this milestone. “Over the past 10 years, we’ve surprised 1000s of families in all 50 states. This year alone we’re on track to surprise over 2,000 families and pay off nearly $500,000 in layaway balances.” He went on to recognize the impact that Pay Away has had on military families. “To the military families we’ve been able to meet and help all over the world, thank you. It’s an honor to be able to help the men and women who serve our country.”
Karchawer and Wilbur were joined by dozens of donors and volunteers at Nasdaq Marketsite in Times Square, where Pay Away was featured on their 7-story video tower during and after the market closed.
Wilbur made a point to highlight the donors who have made it all possible. “I want to thank the donors and volunteers who have enabled us to grow this idea into the movement it has become. In particular, I want to acknowledge the team at T-Mobile whose gift of $1 million last year helped bring our cause to the national stage. Their contribution and their team’s amplification of our message on social media was transformational.”
Pay Away’s mission is to spread joy and kindness to families. For 10 years, the organization has surprised unsuspecting families by paying off their layaway balances across the country.
You can help spread holiday cheer this year by making a donation at payaway.org/give
Welcoming @PayAwayLayaway to the @NasdaqExchange Closing Bell. https://t.co/uiXN7AYk7i
— Nasdaq Exchange (@NasdaqExchange) December 21, 2022
10 years ago, @PayAwayLayaway started as a random act of kindness & has grown into a nationwide movement dedicated to spreading joy. ????@NasdaqExchange is proud to recognize the impactful work they do to inspire hope, spread kindness and surprise families across America. pic.twitter.com/e8akOBMlVR
— Nasdaq Exchange (@NasdaqExchange) December 21, 2022
NFL Wide Receivers Give Back at the Holidays
Deebo Samuel, Michael Thomas, and Juju Smith-Shuster surprised hundreds of families for the holidays.
Three NFL stars surprised families in New Orleans, Kansas City, Los Angeles, and Spartanburg, SC when they paid off their layaway balances and provided shopping sprees just in time for the holidays.
At the Joint Reserve Base New Orleans, Saints WR Michael Thomas surprised military families where he paid off and greeted 21 families in Belle Chasse, LA.
The families there were overjoyed at both the generosity and opportunity to meet the NFL star who talked with and took pictures with all the families.
“This is really, truly what it’s all about… how many people I can impact and I can help.” Thomas said, as he announced to the families that their layaway balances had been paid off in time for the holidays.
In Spartanburg, SC, San Francisco 49ers Wide Receiver, and Spartanburg-native Deebo Samuel surprised 50 families at Champs Sports on December 16th.
Each family received a $300 gift card and surprise gifts from Deebo and his family who attended the event. Samuel himself had planned to be there in person but wasn’t able to attend due to his recent injury, but he joined and talked with all the families via video.
In Kansas City and Los Angeles, Kansas City Chiefs WR JuJu Smith-Schuster continued his annual tradition of surprising families by paying off layaway balances through the Juju Foundation.
“At some point in my life, there were years that I didn’t get gifts and there were years that I had to share gifts. Knowing how it feels to be in their shoes at a young age and knowing I can give back is really cool” Smith-Shuster commented at his event in Kansas City.
About Pay Away
Pay Away the Layaway’s mission is to spread joy and kindness to families. For 10 years, the organization has surprised unsuspecting families by paying off their layaway balances across the country. Give now at payaway.org/give
New Orleans Saints Wide Receiver Michael Thomas met and posed for photos with customers who were selected to have their layaway items paid off by Pay Away the Layaway at the Navy Exchange on NAS JRB New Orleans, December 8. pic.twitter.com/b2qMst2Xs3
— Navy Region SE (@Navy_Region_SE) December 9, 2022
Pay Away surprised 50 families in Spartanburg, SC today with @49ers WR Deebo Samuel (@19problemz)!
We paid off the layaways @champssports and each family got a $300 gift card and some surprise gifts from @19problemz!
Spread cheer this year with us at https://t.co/bRv0UHpDlc pic.twitter.com/hJ45jx0b4p
— Pay Away the Layaway ???? (@PayAwayLayaway) December 17, 2022
Recap of our Kansas City pay-away-the-lay-away with @TeamJuJu! ????
We paid off nearly $10,000 in layaway balances for gifts and holiday essentials at @Burlington! ???? pic.twitter.com/eryj4bxQqN
— JuJu Foundation (@JuJuFoundation) December 14, 2022
Nonprofit Surprises 385 Families in NYC by Paying Off their Layaways Just in Time for the Holidays
New York, NY – Pay Away the Layaway surprised families at 3 Burlington Stores in New York City on December 16, 2022.
Thanks to the support of generous donors and the help of volunteers, 385 families were surprised when Layaway Angels announced that their layaways had been paid-off in full.
Many were overjoyed hearing the unexpected, but greatly-appreciated news.
“I’m a mother of two and when they called me I didn’t expect this! They paid my layaway of $630. It’s so amazing, thank you!” one recipient said.
For 10 years, Pay Away the Layaway has been spreading joy and inspiring hope by paying-off layaway balances for unsuspecting families all across the country.
You can help spread cheer this year and give now make the holidays a little brighter for families who least expect it!
We just surprised 84 families @Burlington in Chelsea by paying off their layaways in time for the holidays!
We're headed to another store in NYC right now!
Spread cheer with us at https://t.co/PmfsjS22TC! pic.twitter.com/NsKd6SiG6p
— Pay Away the Layaway ???? (@PayAwayLayaway) December 16, 2022
New Orleans Saints WR Michael Thomas Surprises Military Families in Louisiana
Belle Chasse, LA - New Orleans Saints WR Michael Thomas surprised military families at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans on December 8, 2022.
21 families had their layaway balances paid in full, and they were overjoyed at the generosity and opportunity to meet the NFL star who talked with and took pictures with all the families.
“This is really, truly what it’s all about… how many people I can impact and I can help.” Thomas said as he announced to the families that their layaway balances had been paid off in time for the holidays.
Pay Away’s mission is to spread joy and kindness to families. For 10 years, the organization has surprised unsuspecting families by paying off their layaway balances across the country.
You can help spread holiday cheer this year by making a donation at payaway.org/give
— WGNO-TV (ABC) New Orleans (@WGNOtv) December 9, 2022
100 Families Surprised at Burlington Stores in the Bronx
Givsly helped surprise 100 families this holiday season at Burlington Stores in the Bronx on December 1, 2022.
They were joined by employees from Initiative and Fox Advertising Solutions who helped make this event a special experience for the families whose layaways were paid that day.
When familes arrived at the store, they were overjoyed to hear that their layaways were being paid off in full, thanks to Pay Away the Layaway.
A generous contribution from Givsly, gave 100 families a special holiday surprise that they’ll remember for years to come.
Pay Away’s mission is to spread joy and kindness to families. For 10 years, the organization has surprised unsuspecting families by paying of their layaway balances across the country.
You can help spread holiday cheer this year by making a donation at payaway.org/give
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Dallas Wings & T-Mobile Surprised 90 North Texas Families on 2021
As we celebrate 10 years of spreading joy to families around the holiday season, we are highlighting some of the incredible impact we've had over the past decade with you.
Layaway Angel Moriah Jefferson, point guard for the Dallas Wings, helped surprise over 90 families at Burlington Stores in Dallas in 2021.
The families were surprised with the news when they arrived at the store.
For some, this was the miracle they were waiting for. One recipient described how impactful this gift was to him and his family during the 2021 holiday season.
Having just survived Hurricane Ida, they had lost a large portion of their belongings in the storm and had put some essential items on layaway at Burlington.
“We needed it. We just came from Hurricane Ida so we were here from the storms. It’s a blessing and we appreciate it, we really do,” he explained.
Among the items he was able to take home to his family were new winter coats to replace the ones that had been destroyed by the storm.
The generous contributions from T-Mobile, along with the help of Dallas Wing’s Moriah Jefferson, gave nearly 100 families a special holiday moment and helped them head into the new year with high hopes.
Montel Williams Helped Give Back to Military Families During 2020 and 2021 Holiday Seasons
Military families overjoyed by Montel Williams and Pay Away the Layaway paying-off remaining NEX layaway balances during the 2020 and 2021 holiday seasons.
As we celebrate 10 years of spreading joy to families around the holiday season, we want to recognize some of the incredible impact we've had over the past decade with your support.
Pay Away the Layaway partnered with the Marine Corps Veteran and TV personality Montel Williams for the second year in a row to give back to our service members during the 2021 holiday season.
Military members were invited to their local Navy Exchange Service locations where they had an extra special surprise waiting for them.
In 2021, 374 military families who shopped at NEX Norfolk, NEX San Diego, NEX Orlando and NEX Pearl Harbor were overjoyed when celebrity guest Montel Williams joined them virtually to announce that their remaining layaway balances had been paid-off in full by the nonprofit Pay Away the Layaway.
In 2020, a total of 22 Navy Exchange (NEX) stores from all around the world participated, with each creating that special moment for deserving 250 military families. Military families were invited to a Zoom call, and were overjoyed when celebrity guest Montel Williams delivered the news that ALL 250 active layaways had been paid-off in full.
NEX shoppers were able to take home the children’s items including toys, clothing and bikes meant for the holidays that they had put on layaway earlier in the year, right then and there.
“My military service spanned over 22 years in the Marine Corps and the United States Navy so I’m honored to have an opportunity to share a message with our military families…Today I’m here to thank you for your service, and thank military service members for their courage, their determination and their sacrifice. I also know all too often that sacrifice in silence and that the holidays are particularly hard for military families on a budget,” Williams stated.
The holiday season was all the more special for the military families who were surprised with the unbelievable news.
“Warfighters and their families in the Pacific make enormous sacrifices to serve this Nation, and we are very happy to celebrate this unexpected gift with them,” said Air Force Lt. Col. Michael Kovalchek, Exchange Pacific Region commander. “This welcome surprise will make the Christmas and holiday season all the more special this year.”
With the help of incredible Layaway Angels like Montel Williams, military families got an early holiday surprise that they’d never forget.
This was the 5th consecutive year that Pay Away the Layaway spread joy to Navy Exchange shoppers, and they hope to continue spreading joy to military families year after year.
Together, Pay Away the Layaway and T-Mobile Spread Joy to Over 5,000 Families in 2021
Pay Away the Layaway teamed up with T-Mobile to spread joy and inspire hope to unsuspecting families during their 2021 Season of Giving.As we celebrate 10 years of spreading joy to families around the holiday season, we want to celebrate some of the incredible impact we've had over the past decade with your support.
Each year, T-Mobile gives back to the community during their Season of Giving. In 2021, they chose to team up with Pay Away the Layaway to help families purchase holiday gifts and essentials for their children.
“We're grateful and thrilled to spread joy alongside T-Mobile this holiday season,” said Lee Karchawer, Founder of Pay Away the Layaway. “Knowing we will make thousands more children smile this year with T-Mobile's support is a dream come true. This partnership will change lives like we've never been able to before, all in the name of creating a kinder, gentler world.”
The Season of Giving kicked-off with T-Mobile bringing joy to those who sacrifice so much. By initially donating $250,000, military families were given an early holiday surprise to thank them for the countless sacrifices they made to protect our country.
To make an even bigger impact, T-Mobile launched #TMobileGivesBack, an initiative that would encourage employees, customers and communities all over the country to take part in spreading joy and inspiring hope.
Customers could contribute and support the cause with just one click through the T-Mobile Tuesdays App. For every click, T-Mobile would donate $1 to Pay Away the Layaway (up to $300,000).
For the next two weeks, T-Mobile and countless kind-hearted individuals continued to give with T-Mobile, donating $5 per retweet (up to $200,000) with each new person who retweeted @TMobile’s #TMobileGivesBack post.
But, it didn’t just stop there.
T-Mobile also matched employees’ 1:1 donations and gave $10 per hour in donation funds for each hour spent volunteering, as well as provided an additional $20 from T-Mobile Foundation to donate to a charity of their choice.
“Our Season of Giving is all about coming together during a time of year that should be joyous, but is often challenging for far too many families….and we want to make a difference for those who may need a little help,” said Janice V. Kapner, T-Mobile Chief Communications and Brand Officer. “We want it to be easy for everyone to help give back, so just one click or tweet can really make a difference. It's a community supporting community – and we hope everyone will join us!”
The Season of Giving brought a record number of Layaway Angels, all with the goal of helping families experience the joy of the holidays.
Alongside T-Mobile, generous donors gave over 5,000 families the gift of joy last holiday season, touching the hearts of many who did not expect to receive such a kind gesture, especially just ahead of the holidays.
NFL Football Player Gave 170 Families an Early Holiday Surprise in 2021
JuJu Smith-Schuster brightens the holidays for young children when he surprised their families by paying off their remaining layaway balances at select Burlington stores.
As we celebrate 10 years of spreading joy to families around the holiday season, we want to recognize some of the incredible impact we've had over the past decade with your support.
Juju Smith-Schuster, wide receiver for the Kansas City Chiefs, The JuJu Foundation, JuJu’s family and Pay Away the Layaway volunteers helped spread joy in Pittsburgh just in time for the holidays.
The football star wanted to give back to the communities that helped him become who he is today. That’s why he teamed up with Pay Away the Layaway to bring a little extra joy to them.
Having gone through similar experiences, JuJu Smith-Schuster and his mother, Sammy Smith-Schuster, are passionate about giving children the joy of the holiday season.
“I’ve been there, I know what it feels like. I know what it feels like to not make Christmas happen for your kids,” his mom Sammy Schuster said. “So, this hits home for me. That’s why we started the JuJu Foundation, so we can give hope, we can give Christmas, we can give love to families who are in need.”
Team JuJu and Pay Away the Layaway volunteers invited over 170 families to come down to their local Burlington Stores in Pittsburgh, PA because their layaways had officially been paid-off.
“I am truly blessed to be able to give back to families in Pittsburgh and California during the holidays,” Smith-Schuster expressed. "We hope paying off these layaway balances will cause a sense of relief and lift the spirit of all of these families.”
Many couldn't believe that they were chosen for such a kind gesture, especially in the days leading up to the holidays. Others were brought to tears at the unexpected, but much needed relief that this would bring their families.
Thanks to the help of JuJu Smith-Schuster and his foundation, over 170 families got a gift last holiday season that was truly unforgettable.
Dwight Powell & The Dallas Mavericks Made 50+ Families’ Holiday Season Brighter in 2020
Dwight Powell and the Dallas Mavericks brightened the holiday season for young children when he surprised their families by paying-off their remaining layaway balances at local Burlington stores in Texas.
As we celebrate 10 years of spreading joy to families around the holiday season, we want to recognize some of the incredible impact we've had over the past decade with your support.
Pay Away the Layaway partnered with the NBA player Dwight Powell and the The Dallas Mavericks to brighten the holiday season for families in North Texas.
More than 50 families received a call for a special surprise, inviting them to come down to their local Dallas Burlington in December 2020.
When they got there, each family was greeted with a virtual video call from Powell himself who delivered the good news that all remaining holiday gifts, school supplies, toys, books, games and clothes on their layaway account were completely paid-off.
“The whole nature of this year has forced us to remember what’s important and that’s loved ones, our health, and our family. Little things along the way leading up to the holiday can set the tone for a good year to come. I really hope these items they received tonight can push them forward in hope and healing,” stated Powell.
Some stood in disbelief, some shed tears of joy, and many couldn't express just how grateful they were for this random act of kindness.
The Mavs' mascot, Champ, along with Mavs ManiAACS helped deliver each families' items to their cars before gifting them with a supply of Coca-Cola products as an extra treat.
Powell expressed his enthusiasm to be in a position to make a difference in a lot of people’s lives.
“I think one of the important things we can never forget as NBA players and guys in our position, is that the communities around us are why we’re able to do the things that we do,” Powell said. “So in any situation, at any time, if you can find ways to give back, it’s the most important part of our job, especially around the holiday season.”
Because of incredible Layaway Angels like Dwight Powell and the Dallas Mavericks, families across the country are able to celebrate the holiday season and experience the joy that comes with it.