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