Santa at work paying off strangers' layaway bills - New York News | NYC Breaking News

Santa at work paying off strangers' layaway bills

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ANTHEM, Ariz. -

A Secret Santa has been at work in the valley -- paying off layaway bills at local Walmarts. So far, he's helped 20 families.

It seems like a series of random acts of kindness, but his choice of layaway bill was deliberate. He looked for lists that contained all toys.

"I think I asked him [the clerk] 3 times to see if he was serious because I really didn't believe it," says Patty Hiner.

Hiner's entire layaway bill was paid off by the Santa, a generous but anonymous giver.

It was easy enough to take care of her and others, with Walmart's "Good Samaritan" payment option.

The Secret Santa paid off a few of those Christmas wishlists, but then came back and ended up paying for $1,600 worth of toys.

Now 20 families are feeling the love from an unknown friend this year, which makes it easier for them to pay it forward.

Those beneficiaries like Hiner say they're grateful for the help, now they can go help someone else in return.

"You hear about it, but it never happens to you... you don't expect to be the one who gets picked."

FOX 10's Dan Spindle reports.

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