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.
NFL Football Star Paid-Off ALL Remaining Layaway Balances for Military Families in 2021
Christian McCaffrey (right) poses with an Air Force service member in celebration of the Christian McCaffrey Foundation: 22 and Troops project announcement.
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.
Last holiday season, Pay Away the Layaway partnered with Christian McCaffrey, running back for the Carolina Panthers, and the Christian McCaffrey Foundation to spread joy and kindness to our military families in the Carolinas.
With the ambitious goal of paying off ALL remaining layaway balances for military families in North and South Carolina, the NFL star worked with Pay Away the Layaway to make that dream come true.
“Our military members sacrifice so much everyday to protect the rest of us. We wanted to return the favor and show our appreciation for all that they do for our country,” McCaffrey stated. "We are extremely happy to do it, and so grateful for all of you guys who have served," he continued.
Thanks to McCaffrey’s generosity and passion for supporting our military members, 363 unsuspecting military families got a magical holiday surprise.
A total of 22 lucky service members received the incredible news via a Zoom call, where McCaffrey personally announced that this year they were all in for a special treat for their bravery and commitment to our country.
“Not only did we pay off all remaining layaway balances for the Army and Air Force Exchanges in the Carolinas, but we did the same for the Navy Exchange military members,” announced McCaffrey in the video. “And not only did we give the gift of joy to military families in North Carolina, South Carolina, but also in southern Virginia,” McCaffrey said.
Recipients began clapping in joy and raising their hands in celebration. They couldn’t thank him enough for this kind gesture.
Because of our amazing Layaway Angels like Christian McCaffrey, we are able to spread kindness and give the gift of joy to families all over the United States.
What is Layaway?
Layaway began during The Great Depression in the 1930s when many families did not have enough money to pay for gifts. Retailers, aware of the cash crunch, decided to let customers make cash payments in installments. The store would hold the items until all payments were made, at which time customers could take home their items. Millions of families used layaway every holiday until the 1980s and 90s when credit cards became more commonly used. Credit cards made it possible for families to take their purchases immediately and still pay for them over time.
The early 2000s recession brought layaway programs back when credit became less available for some families. Sears brought back their layaway program in 2008 and Toys ‘R’ Us started offering layaway on expensive items in 2009. Walmart temporarily jumped on board in 2011 with its renewed Holiday Layaway program in select stores. Other retailers like Best Buy, Burlington Stores, Kmart, Marshalls, Sears, T.J. Maxx, and Toys ‘R’ Us joined too.
Today, many families still use layaway programs during the holiday season.
Today's layaway programs are not always free to use. Many retailers require a 10 to 20% down payment on purchases and service fees (usually between $5 and $15) to cover the cost of storing items and processing multiple payments. If a family can't make the payments by the due date, a retailer may charge a cancellation fee, sometimes up to $100, and a restocking fee. The payment schedule is usually strict, and the deadlines to pay off a layaway are non-negotiable. For holiday layaways, the deadline date is typically the week before Christmas.
Pay Away the Layaway's mission is to inspire hope and spread kindness to families who need joy in their holidays. With the support of our generous donors and partners, Pay Away visits retailers around the country to surprise families and pay off their layaway balances. We have paid off layaways in all 50 states and on military bases overseas. We partner with retailers like Burlington Stores, the Army & Air Force Exchange, and Navy Exchange.
We hope you will join us to inspire hope and spread kindness to families this holiday season.