'Layaway angel' pays off purchases for shoppers
TIGARD, Ore. - Lisa Hynsen is a single mom with two young children who likely have big hopes for gifts this holiday season, especially since both kids' birthdays are close to Christmas.
On Wednesday, she received a surprise present of her own.
Like a lot of shoppers trying to lock in popular presents for their kids, Hynsen put some gifts on layaway at a local Toys "R" Us store back in September, with plans to pay them off and take them home before the holidays.
"Layaway is the only way I can do it," she said. "I have to plan it out."
Wednesday night, Hynsen said the Toys "R" Us store called to tell her an anonymous person had paid off the balance of $215. "Really? Is this a joke? Is this for real?" she recalls asking. "I was shocked!"
"And once the initial shock disappeared, I was, like, wow. I was so thankful," she said. "That's a huge gift to me. Huge gift."
She said the money earmarked for the gifts can now be used to buy clothes and shoes for her kids, ages 3 and 5. "It allows me a little more breathing room," she said.
And Hynsen wasn't alone in her good fortune. The general manager of the store said the person who paid for Hynsen's goods also picked up the tab for four other shoppers as well.
Each person had a balance owing of less than $500, the manager said.
Another benefactor called earlier in the week and paid off a few other layaway accounts, the manager told KATU News.
They put the names of layaway account holders in a hat and drew names at random to keep things fair, the manager said.
For those that want to help those in "serious" circumstances there are practical ways you can help... Purchase gas, food and gift cards to Target, Walmart, etc and pass them along to the social workers at Seattle Childrens, Fred Hutchinson, etc to help families with medical crisis get to and from appt and take care of basic needs. You can also contact the school nurse at your neighborhood schools and ask to donate the same things to be passed along to families in need in your neighborhood. A last much needed gift would be to call the Food Service office for your school district and make a donation towards school breakfast/lunch accounts for families that don't qualify for state assistance and are behind on their food accounts for their kids.
So incredibly kind! :)
Who ever is doing this, are just amazing. Thank you for making the holidays brighter for alot of families
I was going to comment about this story;Â but after reading that diatribe by wysoumible, I'm too stunned to bother.
I hope whoever is doing this that they are blessed. What a cool thing to do, what a big heart that person must have.
This just makes society all the more impatient with similarly situated families who struggle in silence every day with the same problems. KOMO does an obscene disservice by publicizing this. The donors did this anonymously out of a sense of kindness and generosity, and a for-profit business and media outlet sink their greedy claws into it for pecuniary benefit. That's a disgrace.
@wysoumible Its a good thing .................. Are you for real ????????????????????
 @DISPATCH911  @wysoumible Well, I posted the comment. There's not too many inferences one can intelligently draw from that. Instead of asking me questions, you may want to start asking yourself a few. You might be surprised at what happens.
@wysoumible I see it as a bright story, this happens every year across the country. the donars are never publized. I see these articles telling us there is still good generous people in this world.Â
 @wysoumible This happens every year, they did not identify the donors......I think it is a sweet story and helps restore some faith in the kindness of others.
 @Susabelle  @wysoumible That's one way of looking at it. I see it as a simpleminded way to distract us from far more serious and complex problems that are very real for a many, many people, but that we'd rather not think about.
 @WSims007 Thanks for that diagnosis, and for your symbiotic contribution of being part of the problem.
 @wysoumible Â
Doesn't distract me one bit. We are still getting stories about tragedies, of which there seems to never be an end. Stories like this one however do serve to remind us, that there are others out there who quietly go about helping others for no other reason perhaps, than that they can. Relax for a moment, breathe in a little cool air, and then you can get back to the more serious things...since that seems to be your own situation anyway.
 @wysoumible yes, but all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy....
I love stories like this. I hope everyone has a great Christmas.....or what ever holiday you may be celebrating :)
This is awesome. What a great act of kindness.Â
THIS is what it's all about. To whoever this "mystery person" is? THANK you for being awesome.
Secret Santa!Â
That's the spirit of the season!
That's so sweet. WOuld be nice if the people paid it forward, somehow.Â
Santa is real :)