Special, secret Santas pay off Bend layaways

Christmas can be a tough time on a family’s finances, but it’s also a time for giving.

And in Bend, two good Samaritans recently stepped in to help out. Unnamed donors paid off layaway accounts for people who could use a hand during the holidays.

It happened at the Walmart in Bend. Two anonymous people paid off the accounts of 12 customers. The total bill was about $2,000.

According to store Manager Kirsten Twiss, one donor paid $500 and the other paid $1,500.

“Every single time a customer comes and pick up their layaway, they’re almost in tears of joy, because it’s just such a kind gesture,” Twiss said Tuesday.

NewsChannel 21 tracked down one of those paid-off customers through Facebook.

Brandi Selkirk works one job and her husband works two — and they have four kids.

She said when they showed up at Walmart to pay off their account over the weekend, they were told they only had a penny to pay. The rest was paid in full.

Selkirk said at first, she didn’t believe it.

“And the cashier at Walmart told us there was no mistake. Somebody who has a genuine kind heart had come in and paid off multiple accounts, and our layaway was paid off — and I cried,” Selkirk said.

“It made it a very happy Christmas,” she added. “And I just want whoever it was who did this for so many families to know how we grateful we are, and to know how much of a difference they are making here in Bend.”

Twiss said this isn’t totally uncommon for Walmart, as it frequently happens in other parts of the country.

But she said they’re always grateful when it happens in Bend.

“So it’s pretty nice. There are just really generous people out there in the world, and it’s really great to see someone give Christmas to that many families,” Twiss said.

Layaway accounts are frequently used for Christmas gifts. They allow customers a bit more time to pay for their purchases.

Recently, singer Kid Rock and actor/comedian/filmmaker Tyler Perry were in the news after paying off many thousands of dollars worth of Walmart layaway accounts.