Secret Santa surprises Wake Forest family
WAKE FOREST, N.C. (WTVD) -- A secret Santa surprised a Wake Forest family Sunday by paying off their layaway bill at a local Walmart.
Tammy Ruggiero said it was so unexpected she almost didn't believe a miracle like it could happen.
"We heard the message, and we were like, this has got to be a joke," she said.
When the mother called the store to verify the voicemail left on her phone was true, the store employee on the other end delivered the good news. The $214 worth of Christmas presents Ruggiero had on hold for her two children had been paid in full by an unknown male customer.
"She said a gentleman came in and paid random layaways today and yours was one," Ruggiero said. "We got out of the car in the driveway, and we were screaming and yelling, running around. I know the neighbors thought we were nuts!"
The generous act came just in the nick of time. Monday marked the deadline for Walmart's customers to pay for layaway items.
Ruggiero wasn't sure if she would be able to afford all the gifts she had set aside this Christmas.
Her husband is already working two jobs, she has picked up babysitting, and money is still tight.
"It saved us this year," she said. "I had one also at a different store, and I was thinking maybe one is going to have to wait until later."
Santa came early this year. A scooter, a helmet, and games now just need to be wrapped.
"It actually showed my children what Christmas is all about, about giving. It's not only about receiving," she said. "I just want to say to whoever did it, thank you so much. What a beautiful, beautiful act of kindness. It was a Christmas blessing for us."
