47 Houston Families Surprised by the Pete & Thomas Foundation
Houston, TX - On December 10, 2024 Pay Away the Layaway and the Pete & Thomas Foundation teamed up to surprise 47 families. This marks the third year of working together to spread joy in Houston!
Recipients were surprised by volunteers from the Pete & Thomas Foundation, as well as Pay Away Executive Director, Jody Blum.
Click the video within this post to hear from a grateful recipient at the surprise event!
Pay Away’s mission is to spread joy and kindness to families. The organization surprises unsuspecting families by paying off their layaway balances across the country.
You can help Pay Away support families by making a donation at payaway.org/give
Families Surprised by Seattle Seahawks Tight End Pharaoh Brown
Auburn, WA – On December 16, nearly 70 families at a Burlington store in Auburn, WA, received exciting news. Thanks to Seattle Seahawks tight end and his Dream Big Foundation, along with Pay Away the Layaway, their layaway balances had been paid in full! The event was a collaboration aimed at spreading joy to families during the holiday season.
The surprise featured Pharaoh Brown, Bolt, the Seahawks mascot, members of the Seahawks Dancers team, and volunteers from Pictory. Together, they announced the surprise to the families in attendance. This marks Brown’s second year working with Pay Away. In 2023, he participated in pay off event as a member of the New England Patriots, surprising families in Massachusetts.
Pay Away’s mission is to inspire hope and spread kindness by paying off layaway balance for children and families.
Brown’s ongoing involvement with the Pay Away demonstrates his commitment to giving back to the community and empowering youth through his Dream Big Foundation.
Help Pay Away spread more holiday cheer today at payaway.org/give!
A Giant Act of Kindness: Wide-Receiver Darius Slayton Pays Off Layaway Balances for 109 Families
North Bergen, NJ – New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton continued his partnership with Pay Away the Layaway, spreading holiday cheer by paying off layaway balances for 109 families. Slayton and his parents visited a Burlington store in North Bergen, NJ, to surprise 34 families with the exciting news that their holiday balances had been completely paid off.
In addition to his efforts in North Bergen, Slayton extended his generosity to other communities. He paid off layaway balances for 19 families at a Burlington store in Mobile, AL, and for 56 families at a Citi Trends store in Stone Mountain, GA. These acts of incredible kindness brought relief and joy to families across three states.
This marks the second year Slayton has collaborated with Pay Away the Layaway to make a difference during the holidays. Over the course of his involvement, he has supported nearly 300 families, underscoring his dedication to giving back.
Slayton’s philanthropic work is rooted in his Left Hand Right Hand Foundation, which he established in 2022. The foundation focuses on helping youth and the elderly, driven by Slayton’s commitment to uplifting communities and inspired by the Biblical principle of selfless giving from Matthew 6:3-4.
Through his partnership with Pay Away the Layaway Slayton is not only alleviating financial burdens, but also inspiring families to pay forward the kindness they experienced.
Join Pay Away in spreading holiday kindness and cheer by making a donation at www.payaway.org/give
5 Reasons to Support Pay Away the Layaway
At Pay Away the Layaway, we spread joy during the holidays by paying off layaway balances for families. With your support, we can help even more families this season. Here are five reasons to get involved this year:
- Help Families Complete Their Holiday Shopping
Financial strain can prevent families from bringing home their items on layaway. By supporting Pay Away the Layaway, you’re ensuring gifts like toys, clothing, and gifts make it under the tree for children. - Give Back to Military Families
Through our work with military exchange stores, we pay off balances for military families who make significant sacrifices year after year. Your donation helps us show appreciation and provides meaningful support to those who serve. - Make a Difference in Local Communities
We partner with national retail chains like Citi Trends, Burlington, Shoe Show, Gabe's, and military exchange stores to make an impact in local communities. These partnerships extend the reach of your support, ensuring broad and meaningful impact. - See Your Donation in Action
Your support helps clear layaway balances, reducing financial stress during the holidays. Follow us on social media to see updates, stories, and the direct results of your contribution in action. - Be Part of the Kindness Movement
Our mission is simple. Inspire hope and spread kindness. By paying off layaway balances, we provide immediate relief to families, enabling them to celebrate the holidays with less stress and more joy. Your support directly fuels this impact.
This holiday season, SPREAD JOY by supporting Pay Away the Layaway. Whether you help spread the word, volunteer, or make a donation, you’re helping us deliver measurable results for children and families across the country.
Join us in spreading joy this holiday season at payaway.org/give.
107 Houston Families Surprised by Pete & Thomas Foundation
Houston, TX - 107 families were surprised by Pay Away and the Pete & Thomas Foundation at a Citi Trends in Houston on December 17, 2023.
One recipient gratefully said, "Thank you for making this Christmas a little bit more special and easier for us. Thank you so much!"
Another recipient's daughter had just been released from the ICU. Her entire layaway contained presents for her grandchildren, who are staying with her while their mother recovers.
Pay Away’s mission is to spread joy and kindness to families. For over 10 years, the organization has surprised unsuspecting families by paying off their layaway balances across the country.
You can help Pay Away support families by making a donation at payaway.org/give
https://twitter.com/petethomasfdn/status/1738951099179032931
17 Families Surprised by Kansas City Chiefs Wide Receiver Cornell Powell
Kansas City, MO – Pay Away the Layaway and Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Cornell Powell surprised 10 families at a Citi Trends store in Kansas City on December 12, 2023.
7 families at a Citi Trends store in Greenville, SC also received the exciting news their layaways were paid off. Customers in both locations were thrilled to learn they were able to bring their layaways home, thanks to the generosity of Powell and his Powell Project Foundation.
Pay Away’s mission is to spread joy and kindness to families. For over 10 years, the organization has surprised unsuspecting families by paying off their layaway balances across the country.
You can help spread kindness this year by making a donation at payaway.org/give
92 Military Families Surprised by CAA Sports
Fort Campbell, KY - A generous contribution from athletes with CAA Sports helped Pay Away the Layaway surprise 92 families at Army and Air Force Exchange stores just in time for the holidays.
47 of those families were located at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, recently impacted by a devastating tornado. One grateful recipient from Fort Campbell said, "Receiving this gift at this time of the season, to have someone do this and gift this to me, it's a true blessing. Happy Holidays!"
Other families had their balances paid at Minot Air Force Base, Hurlburt Field, Langley Air Force Base, and at Buckley Space Force Base.
These surprise layaway payoffs were made possible due to generous gifts from Tyler Vrabel of the Atlanta Falcons, Shane Buechele of the Buffalo Bills, Bryce Young of the Carolina Panthers, Jonathan Mingo of the Carolina Panthers, Khalid Kareem of the Chicago Bears, Charlie Jones of the Cincinnati Bengals, Jordan Battle of the Cincinnati Bengals, Myles Murphy of the Cincinnati Bengals, Cam Taylor-Britt of the Cincinnati Bengals, Trey Lance of the Dallas Cowboys, Lloyd Cushenberry of the Denver Broncos, Nik Bonitto of the Denver Broncos, Nik Bonitto of the Denver Broncos, Patrick Surtain II of the Denver Broncos, Yosh Nijman of the Green Bay Packers, Quenton Nelson of the Indianapolis Colts, Willie Gay of the Kansas City Chiefs, Robbie Chosen a Free Agent, Marcus Davenport of the Minnesota Vikings, Troy Fumagalli of the Minnesota Vikings, Adrian Phillips of the New England Patriots, Cesar Ruiz of the New Orleans Saints, Jalin Hyatt of the New York Giants, Aaron Rodgers of the New York Jets, Connor McGovern of the New York Jets, Max Mitchell of the New York Jets, Solomon Thomas of the New York Jets, Randall Cobb of the New York Jets, Jordan Davis of the Philadelphia Eagles, Roderick Johnson of the Philadelphia Eagles, Chris Godwin or the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Derrick Henry of the Tennessee Titans, Jaleel Johnson of the Tennessee Titans, and Jamison Crowder of the Washington Commanders.
Pay Away’s mission is to spread joy and kindness to families. For over 10 years, the organization has surprised unsuspecting families by paying off their layaway balances across the country.
You can help support military families this year by making a donation at payaway.org/give
69 Massachusetts Families Surprised by Patriots Tight End Pharaoh Brown
Brockton, MA – Pay Away the Layaway and special guest New England Patriots tight end Pharaoh Brown surprised 69 families at a Citi Trends Store in Brockton on December 12, 2023.
Brown joined Pay Away to deliver the good news that holiday layaway balances had been paid in full, and recipients were able to bring their layaways home that day.
"I just got out of the hospital after cancer treatment. This couldn't have come at a better time. This was a blessing, I really do appreciate it," said one surprised and grateful layaway customer.
Pay Away’s mission is to spread joy and kindness to families. For over 10 years, the organization has surprised unsuspecting families by paying off their layaway balances across the country.
You can help spread kindness this year by making a donation at payaway.org/give
Pay Away Volunteers Surprise 72 Families
A generous contribution from Givsly helped Pay Away the Layaway surprise 72 families at Burlington Stores in Chelsea on December 5, 2023.
They were joined by employees from dentsu and Fox Advertising Solutions who volunteered to helped make this event a special experience for the families whose layaways were paid.
Volunteers shared the exciting news with families that their layaways balances were paid off, and also surprised unsuspecting customers with gift cards to Burlington Stores.
Pay Away’s mission is to spread joy and kindness to families. For over 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
Jenna Bush Hager and Today Join Pay Away in Surprising 210 Families
Brooklyn, NY – Jenna Bush Hager and the Today Show joined Pay Away the Layaway and surprised 210 families at a Burlington Store in Brooklyn on November 15, 2023.
Pay Away volunteers were joined by Jenna Bush Hager as they set to work, getting ready to deliver the surprise of a lifetime to families gathered at the Brooklyn store.
“We’ve heard so much about so many families struggling this year, and really stretching to make the holiday what they want it to be,” said Executive Director Julie Sullivan, as volunteers gathered 210 layaways containing children’s toys and clothing, preparing for the big surprise.
As Jenna delivered the news that their balances had been paid in full, the crowd erupted into celebration from tears of joy, to dancing. Grateful customers received their layaway balances filled with holiday gifts for loved ones.
Pay Away’s mission is to spread joy and kindness to families. For over 10 years, the organization has surprised unsuspecting families by paying off their layaway balances across the country.
You can help spread kindness this year by making a donation at payaway.org/give
98 Families Surprised by NY Jets Linebacker Jermaine Johnson
Harlem, NY - Pay Away the Layaway and NY Jets linebacker Jermaine Johnson surprised 98 families at a Burlington Store in Harlem on December 5, 2023.
Johnson joined Pay Away to deliver the good news that holiday layaway balances had been paid in full, and recipients were able to bring their layaways home that day.
One customer gratefully said, "There are still people who do kind things in this world."
Pay Away’s mission is to spread joy and kindness to families. For over 10 years, the organization has surprised unsuspecting families by paying off their layaway balances across the country.
You can help spread kindness this year by making a donation at payaway.org/give
68 Families Surprised at Citi Trends Stores in Fort Myers
Fort Myers, FL - Pay Away the Layaway surprised 68 families at Citi Trends stores in Fort Myers on December 4, 2023.
Pay Away was joined by local supporters, Tom and Margie Hurwich, who helped make this event a special experience for the families whose layaways were paid off.
Many were surprised and overjoyed to learn that their layaways were being paid off in full.
"This is the best blessing I could have never even imagined. I was trying to figure out how I could pay for this whole layaway, and then I got the phone call. I have 10 grandkids, and all of this—it's presents for them," said one thankful recipient.
Pay Away’s mission is to spread joy and kindness to families. For over 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